Comfort level

[Epic Ed]

About how long did it take you to attain a reasonable comfort level with riding? I suppose I'm mainly looking for input from those of you who began riding as an adult. This is my first bike and after completing my MSF course last weekend I have a good idea of the basics, but I'm far from comfortable.

I've only hopped on my FZ6 twice for a couple of brief rides around the neighborhood -- trying to get familiar with the bike and how it functions, feels, and handles. I've put on about 50 miles so far and I can tell it's going to be a while before I'm confidant enough to start commuting to and from work on it.

Can you guys give me an idea of how your learning curve went? Especially if you were a first time rider as an adult?

Thanks,

Ed

 

[dako81]

I wasn't a first time rider as an adult, I'll be 20 in July and started riding when I was around 11 or 12 on dirtbikes. I've ridden trails as well as MX and SX tracks: RedBud, Dutch, and several private tracks.

My first streetbike was a GS500 that I put around 2000 miles on, and then I bought my FZ brand new and it has just over 5200 miles now.

I still find myself uncomfortable at times if I start to think too much. Thinking about all of the other cars etc. It can make anyone uncomfortable. If I just ride and use my instincts I am more comfortable than I am anywhere else pretty much.

I don't think I will be as confident or comfortable as I would like to be until at least a few thousand more miles on the FZ. Not that I think I couldn't get out of a situation or I am not experienced enough etc, but that the bike is soo frickin capable that I will need those thousands of miles of experience on it to be able to realise it's potentials and boudaries. If that makes sense.

Put some miles on it and it will start to be a part of you.

 

[Deleted member 2349]

I took the last MSF course of last fall an pined all winter on getting a ride. I have had my FZ6 for about 3 weeks on the road. I live about 25 minutes from the shop I had check it out. I payed my bill and rode my baby home. Its all about your comfort level. I tend to just jump into a learning curve. I know I have much to learn about riding and have a good advantage; my commute to work is 7 minutes of inner city divers(missing or just not using turn signals, unexpected braking, stopping to chat with a brotha/sista in the middle of the road...the list can go on forever). I try to play the what if game and practice riding visable/"invisable". I took her out friday night for my first night ride, even puttered around on the expressways. Just take your time and remember what you learned in the course and on here. I still choke a bit on fast turns(something they don't get to do in the course), and stall once and a while. Its what makes you remember that there is a curve to learning. So ride safe and you'll be ready to tackle your commute in no time.

 

[CanadianFZ6]

I started out very young on dirt bikes, so I was pretty much comfortable within minutes of riding an FZ6 for the first time. Practice would be my advice for you. Ride as much as possible and re-visit some of the excercises you learned in your MSF course. Parking lots on a hoilday are good for practicing things like emergency stops and low speed stuff... As co-ordination between throttle, clutch and brakes increase, so will your comfort level... Most of all learn how to use you front brakes properly...

Now go out and ride...

 

[Rocky529]

I haven't even sat on a motorcycle until my FZ6 about a month ago. I practiced on my street not giving it any throttle... then slowly gave it throttle. After about a week of this, I went into traffic and was fine. I have since taken the MSF course and now have my license and 600 miles on the bike.

I don't suggest you do this because I have seen people drive straight up a tree using this same procedure... it just so happened to work for me.

 

[HowlFZ6]

I took the MSF class in early March. I've had my FZ6 for a few weeks now and I feel pretty comfortable on back roads and on the highway in light traffic. I've put 700 miles on the bike since I have owned it.

I still stay away from the highway during the morning and afternoon rush hour. One of the main points they make in the class is managing risk at your own pace. Do what works for you until you're ready to take on more of a challenge.

 

[AlanB]

I'm your guy. I had never ridden before taking the MSF course at age 48. Bought the FZ6 before I ever got to the riding day of the course
(long story not worth telling). I had to have a friend trailer my bike home for me. I spent the half tank of gas the bike came with doing 25 to 30 in my neighborhood with occassional forays onto a 45 mph road that felt like 90 to me. I only left the immediate neighborhood when the reserve light started blinking and there was no way to get gas without goign on a 55mph road, so away I went, white knuckles and all. The funny part is that a 40mph downhill on my racing bicycle (in lycra and a 6oz. helmet) didn't bother me - but a MOTORCYCLE. People DIE on those things, you know.

Anyway, I found certain milestones. At a couple of hundred miles in and between residential areas and a couple of easy local canyons, I was ready to commute. My commute was all surface streets and about 14 miles. That regular riding really builds up comfort. You WILL get to use those MSF skills and after about 1,000 miles you feel much more comfortable and confident. I would say that about every thousand miles I notice a significant improvement in my skills. I'm at 4,000 miles 11 months later. Do some canyons if you can. I found that getting used to turning in twisties helped immensly with every day cornering. The hardest thing for me was (and to some extent still is) getting that downshift in prior to a downhill corner. My advice: Practice, practice and more practice. Become confident but not complacent, and adopt the attitude in my signature.

 

[Hellgate]

I took a 19 year break and got back on this January. After about three weeks I was back in the groove, for the most part.

Give yourself lots of time, practice drills in empty parking lots, and if something doesn't feel right it probably isn't right.

 

[4fun]

I still am not comfortable in a lot of areas, it's not a bad thing to have a little fear, your comfort will grow faster than your skills will.

Dont get overconfident. At some point in the near future you will feel like you can handle any situation, thats when you need to really think and evaluate your skills. Before you go ahead and do something you think you can do, take a moment to think it through and only do it if you know you could.

Outriding your abilities will kill you.

Have fun:Sport:

 

[Keits]

Im in the same boat as some of you guys. I finished the MSF on May 3 and bought my FZ on May 6. Since then I have put about 900 miles on her. Though I am way more comfortable now than during my first 100 miles there are still plenty of small mistakes and an occasional stall. For me, riding w experienced riders has been great. I try to mimic their movements and pick up their good habits and try to pick their brains about anything that came up during the ride. I'm lucky that I have friends who have been riding for years but respect the fact that I'm still green. Just make sure if your still a noob to only ride w ppl that you trust not to lead you into situations that are way over your head...
Other than that, have fun, ATGATT and keep the rubber side down

 

[Wavex]

I believe it really depends on the rider. Some ppl will feel comfortable in 2weeks, others in 2 years... it depends on how much you ride, if you do track days or not, how much risks you are ready to take when you ride, how much time you spend in parking lots training...etc..etc.

However, no matter how long it`ll take you, remember that most accidents happen AFTER you passed that threshold and feel comfy... it makes sense because as long as you`re not completely comfortable, you`re extra careful... the key is to always be extra careful and never feel too comfy

Yes.............. I know what some of you will say.............I need to start using that advise myself............... lol

 

[Epic Ed]

I'm your guy. I had never ridden before taking the MSF course at age 48. Bought the FZ6 before I ever got to the riding day of the course
(long story not worth telling). I had to have a friend trailer my bike home for me. I spent the half tank of gas the bike came with doing 25 to 30 in my neighborhood with occassional forays onto a 45 mph road that felt like 90 to me. I only left the immediate neighborhood when the reserve light started blinking and there was no way to get gas without goign on a 55mph road, so away I went, white knuckles and all.

Yeah, that sounds exactrly like me. 40 y/o and just turn the ignition on my first bike at the MSF course last weekend. I, too, bought my FZ6 the week before I could even ride it -- had a friend drive it home.

Confession time -- I've been feeling a bit discouraged today from my ineptitude on last nights cruise around the neighborhood. I could not keep from stalling going into 1st gear. I mean it would take multiple tries for me to get going after coming to a stop. I'd either over rev the engine and dump the clutch, or I'd stall it from not giving it enough rpms while easing out the clutch. WTF?? I had much better success my first night on the bike, and I never stalled the bike at the MSF course. There seems to be a very small friction zone in my clutch, and I'm not sure if it's just how the FZ6 operates, or whether I need to have it checked, or whether it's strictly n00b-error and I'll eventually figure it out.

Anyhow...it's hard to build much confidence when you're not even able to get your sorry ass out of the way of traffic. I'm not going anywhere until I get this part dialed.

Ed

 

[stevesnj]

Was away from riding for 3 years and just got back on a bike on my 07 FZ6. Im just getting used to things again. I had the same first gear issue. I learned that 2k on the tach is a sweet spot for me to get going and after a day I can now just listen for the proper revs to get goin. You'll get it. :Sport:

 

[wrightme43]

Just like any tool, practice is the answer. You can get a leg up, and get better faster thru trainings and lessons.

If you wanted to be really good at free throws you would learn the form, and then spend long hours practicing the shot.
Same here. Get the books, read the books, set up the layouts, and practice them. I have yet to take a class with a instructor. I really really really want to take K. Codes superbike school, or Lee Parks total control or Pridemores CLASS. I really enjoy thier books.

Cornering Forum (Powered by Invision Power Board)
Here is a great forum with Keith Code. LOTS of great info.
Survival reactions on motorbikes are the main cause of single bike wrecks. All the stuff that seems right and works great in a car, is exactly the wrong thing to tell a motorcycle to do.

 

[AlanB]

There seems to be a very small friction zone in my clutch, and I'm not sure if it's just how the FZ6 operates, or whether I need to have it checked, or whether it's strictly n00b-error and I'll eventually figure it out.

Ed

The friction zone of the FZ6 is notoriously small. The clutch is almost released by the time it kicks in. The first time I rode somebody elses bike it almost took off without me because the clutch engaged so "early". I have always driven a manual trans car, so i think that helped my transition to bike. Suggestion: in that famous "empty parking lot", try several times letting out the clutch so slowly that you don't stall it with NO throttle added in at all. In other words, take off at an idle. It can be done, but you have to really baby the clutch. When you can do tht regularly, then add in some throttle. Soon you will find a balance of throttle and release speed. Oh, and I stalled mine yesterday when a light turned green before I expected it :banghead:, but I'm now much quicker at starting up again . I don't think the guy I was with even noticed.

 

[craig007]

Last year, I was where you are now. I took the MSF course and bought my FZ6 a week later. I had the salesman drive it home for me. I spent the next 2 days riding around may neighborhood 25 mph. I was doing a lot of stopping and starting, getting used to the clutch. Step two was back roads. 40 mph seemed too fast. I remember having to pull over because a farm tractor was gaining on me, forcing me to go faster than I wanted to go....a tractor! I learned that I could not start on a hill. So, while I could ride to work, I had to plan my route to avoid hills. Meanwhile, on weekends, I found a hill and practiced starting over and over again. I do a lot of bicycle riding so I was used to riding in traffic. The books Ride Hard Ride Smart and Proficient Motorcycling, were great and really helped me understand where I wanted to position my motorcycle in traffic. It took me about 3 or 4 weeks to make it to the highway. First just one exit, then off. I really did not like the wind blast from trucks, so it took a while getting comfortable on the highway.

So, go slow, one step at a time. If you find something you can't do, practice in a parking lot. Now 9000 miles later, I looking forward to taking the MSF experienced rider course.

 

[Epic Ed]

The friction zone of the FZ6 is notoriously small. The clutch is almost released by the time it kicks in. The first time I rode somebody elses bike it almost took off without me because the clutch engaged so "early". I have always driven a manual trans car, so i think that helped my transition to bike. Suggestion: in that famous "empty parking lot", try several times letting out the clutch so slowly that you don't stall it with NO throttle added in at all. In other words, take off at an idle. It can be done, but you have to really baby the clutch. When you can do tht regularly, then add in some throttle. Soon you will find a balance of throttle and release speed. Oh, and I stalled mine yesterday when a light turned green before I expected it :banghead:, but I'm now much quicker at starting up again . I don't think the guy I was with even noticed.

That's good to hear. I don't feel like quite such a boob. I'm going to get back in the proverbial saddle tonight and give it another whirl. There's a rather large, empty parking lot about 1/2 mil up the road, but I have to get out into major traffic to cross the street to get there. I'm gonna look like a bad game of "Frogger" going across.

Ed

 

[OkieDavid]

I agree w/Abergfeld, on level ground and in no hurry I don't even have to use any throttle. I've got a sand box for a driveway (which comes with it's own challenges for sure). I had a BAD wreck at 16 and turned away from bikes. Last image I saw from the ambulance was it still laying in the ditch (never asked or cared what happened to it and the steel plate and pins in my shoulder and collar bone remind me ever winter). Flash forward 28 years and here I am....bought the bike from a friend. Did a couple of starts from stop in a parking lot and loaded it right on to the trailer and off to the license examiner. I have a daily commute of 48mi round trip at highway speed on two lane state highway w/dogs,cats,deer,horses,cattle. I've pulled over a couple of times just to collect myself when I catch myself thinking of things other than riding as just when you get comfortable, you get wreckless.....A little fright is a good thing and keeps you focused. Riding in terror is just as bad as total relaxation so try to find a comfort level somewhere in between. If you catch yourself not remembering any bump in the pavement or car you met in the last mile....pull over, you're at risk for a spill. If you're to frightened to get on the highway, settle for a middle ground 45mph paved country road. You didn't start building ramps and jumping your bicycle over creeks the first summer you learned to ride did you? Looking forward to screaming down the highway at 70+mph with your hair on fire and a grin on your face had better take some time....but trust me, on an FZ6....it WILL happen LOL.

 

[cv_rider]

I got my first bike, Buell Blast, at age 37, nine months ago, and the FZ6 as the second a month ago. Ridden about 3500 miles since my first time on a bike in the MSF class. I recall it taking me about two months to get comfortable with the operation of the bike. Things like being able to start on a hill, not stalling when starting in first gear, not downshifting into too low of a gear (which was traumatic in that low-revving machine, FZ6 doesn't seem to care what gear you are in at any speed), riding down a curb without losing balance, cancelling my turn signal after turning (I still haven't fully mastered that!). Since then, I've been on the freeway and anywhere else I can think of a reason to ride (except nearby San Francisco which makes me edgy even in a car).

After 9 months in the saddle, I still don't feel that comfortable safety-wise. As has been mentioned, there is some advantage to that. Whomever posted the "Requiem to a Biker" video has left me with lingering images of horrible crashes each time I go out. I guess that keeps me honest. I know people who have been riding forever and seem to feel nearly as comfortable, safety-wise, on a bike as they do in a car. But this same guy doesn't always wear his helmet, so I guess his judgement can be discounted. I do have this lingering feeling that in order to maintain a moderate margin of safety (what if there is gravel on that turn?) that you need to ride ultra conservatively, which is somewhat at odds with the thrill of riding fast, and good lean angles. Often I find road bicycles more thrilling than the motorcycle. Maybe it's just that I've ridding bicycles so long, but I find it easier to maintain the balance of going fast enough to be thrilling without feeling like I'm risking my life if there is gravel on the corner.

 

[Dunno]

Good question. Thanks.

Comfort level will of course differ between riders. After all what is a comfortable riding level.
I wouldnt worry too much about stalling. As it been said, its an FZ6 trait. I still have a laugh when someone else throws a leg over my bike & stalls. You will get used to it & it wont bother you for too long.

Stalling a few times is easy to do & can get you flustered on the bike. This will lead to more stalls & beads of sweat forming inside your helmet..
Try to be calm & hold the throttle steady as you release the clutch. Who cares if your reving it a little? At least you are now in motion.

Of course practice is the only solution. Preferably on lonely back streets with little or no traffic. Keep at it & you will get the hang of it. :thumbup:

As for comfort. As I said it differs between riders. On the track comfortable is gradual slides under power & braking. Nothing to crazy or unsettling but definately different to road riding.

Have a look at this clip & watch Chris Vermulen. He is on the blue & pink bike with a yellow helmet.
What he does here beggars belief BUT he is in control & well within his comfort level.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oemeurLbvTo"]YouTube - Chris Vermulen - Impossible Slide![/ame]