Help me out here... (frustrated)

[OZXJR]

Really? I mean really? I mean really really???

I,m wondering if this guy is for real

 

[youngy]

You had advice on your other post, from many people - get some training.

 

[Gcontroller]

I,m wondering if this guy is for real

Better keep my pie hole shut.

 

[grommit]

Simples, set the revs (just above idle I suppose, 2000 maybe) and then use the clutch to control your take off. Trying to control the gas and the clutch at the same time is just making it difficult for yourself.

Be nice to see some pictures of you and your bike!
:needpics:

 

[TeacherJoe]

6? Did you say 6?

Joe

 

[Kazza]

So i "rode" my bike for the first time today. It's a powerful bastard. I never got over 6 MPH, so i don't know HOW powerful, but it has a lot more bottom end acceleration than i expected.

That said, is it normal for it to die if i put it in first then let off the clutch without applying any throttle?

I'm not brave enough to do any real riding, but i wanted to idle it around the parking lot and get to know my bike.

advice would be welcome

Sorry to be harsh, but you have no business being on a bike until you have someone with you to teach you OR you do an MSF course.

 

[2006_FZ6]

Sorry to be harsh, but you have no business being on a bike until you have someone with you to teach you OR you do an MSF course.

This is the best advice you can get from any of us. I would say take the MSF course first and then have someone with you as you're starting out.

Mistakes on a motorcycle can be deadly. Be safe!

 

[Sotex]

Not sure where you are, specifically, in Texas. I'm way south, near Brownsville. If I can help in any way, don't hesitate to holler.

Edit: Woopsie, I see your other post mentions that you're near Huntsville. Sounds like you're getting good advice on finding some training, though...

 

[Popeye70]

Sorry to be harsh, but you have no business being on a bike until you have someone with you to teach you OR you do an MSF course.

*confused* Can you get a drivers permit anywhere for a non-restricted motorcycle without any training? Here in Norway you have to have trainer assisted theory and driving lessons and pass a theory and practical exam before getting your license.

 

[Haelous]

*confused* Can you get a drivers permit anywhere for a non-restricted motorcycle without any training? Here in Norway you have to have trainer assisted theory and driving lessons and pass a theory and practical exam before getting your license.

It varies from state to state. Some states require you take the course.

In NJ you take a written test for your permit, and then you take a practical test for your license. The practical test is just basic cornering, a figure eight, swerving, and emergency stopping. No actual interaction with other vehicles.

The permit allows you to ride with another rider.

I took the course, but it was not the first time I rode. I am not the type of person who does well being thrown into an unfamiliar environment, and I do not typically learn well in a group. I had a friend put-put around a development with me on a bike of theirs, 30mph tops. This made me feel significantly less nervous going into the course.

I also already knew the controls before going into the course, but I thought most people did. All you need for that is a quick google and to sit on a bike.

The course was good though, and once I had my FZ6, I practiced the exercises from the course on my bike.

The exercise Erci posted above is one of the exercises from the course.

Reading this thread reminded me of something one of the instructors at my course said. It was something along the lines of, "If you are unfamiliar with what a clutch is or how to use one, your learning curve is going to be significantly higher than those who already know how to use one."

I personally find hand clutch/throttle easier than foot clutch/throttle, and had no problem my first time on the bike.

Something else I learned before the course, was that you gain stability with speed, at least over 6-8mph or so. For example, if you're going 3-5mph by just slowly letting the clutch out the bike is going to be more difficult to keep steady. Once you get to 10-12mph, the bike basically keeps itself straight and then you have to lean it to turn. If you're at 6mph and you think it's kind of unsteady, it's not going to get worse by giving it a bit more throttle, it's going to get better.

Having said all that, I agree with the general consensus of you should not be on that bike by yourself having not taken the course.

All I'm doing is sharing my experience as a noob.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Be patient, just keep the bike parked. Otherwise you might regret doing something that could have been prevented from the first place.

Just because somebody knows how to ride does not make them a great teacher, or know how to teach for you to ride correctly. They may themselves have developed bad habit or incorrect technique that they would be passing them along to you.

It's just like golf, you can learn how to swing and hit the ball on your own. But once you develope that bad golf swing, it's tough to correct it. It's best to learn how to play from a pro, but the game of golf most likely won't get yourself killed, riding a motorcycle will.

Remember, taking the BRC is not only teaching you the physical skills to ride, more importantly it is teaching you the mental skills on how to ride out on the roadway. For example, where, how and what to look for, anticpiating hazards, etc. Believe it or not, riding is more mental than physical.

 

[texcollect]

*confused* Can you get a drivers permit anywhere for a non-restricted motorcycle without any training? Here in Norway you have to have trainer assisted theory and driving lessons and pass a theory and practical exam before getting your license.

As BePrepared should know, as of September 1st 2009, in Texas, you MUST take the MSF BRC before you can get your Motorcycle endorsement. From what I have read the cops latest trick here (TX) is to impound your bike if you are caught riding without the magic "M" on your license.

I have only been riding a year, but the first motorcycle I rode was a 250cc Honda at an MSF class. I even got the dealer to deliver my FZ6 to the house because I didn't feel confident enough to ride it from the dealership, preferring instead, to toodle round my gated neighborhood until I felt confident enough to venture out into the wild open roads of Texas.

 

[MHS]

Sorry to be harsh, but you have no business being on a bike until you have someone with you to teach you OR you do an MSF course.

I completely agree.

I'm still pretty awful at 0-5mph myself. I need to just get out and practice in a parking lot, especially uphill starts -- but it's hard to find time to do that.

 

[vhiran]

I took the MSF. Failed it. Hard. [ok the written portion i passed but i don't think its possible to fail those.]

I had never been on a bike before and was flat out intimidated by the 250cc putter bike. The instructor also saw fit to undermine my confidence at every turn. Basically told me I had no business riding a motorcycle. I was also the only guy there who had never been on a motorcycle, drove a stick shift, or had already taken the BRC. Great stuff, I really got put on the spot there.


Then I got my FZ6. Yes, probably not what anyone here would have recommended my next move be, but I was determined.
I then spent the next two months learning it. I took it around my neighborhood. Went slow. Went to the local church parking lot and practiced leaning, stopping with both breaks, stopping HARD, and getting clutch control.

I worked and went to school, didn't have a whole lot of time to ride and my riding was highly illegal anyway, so I took it baby steps and went from there.


Went back to the BRC. Took it with my FZ6, passed it easily. [same instructor, heh.], Since then a couple years later, took the ARC and the sportbike course just to pick up more skills.


I've laid my FZ6 down a couple times but it was always a learning experience with a couple minor scratches on the fairing for me to look at and think 'man I remember when I did XXX and got that scratch. Can't do that again.'


Anyway, clutch control is about the most important thing you can learn. You don't want to be that jackass who stalls at a redlight with an 18 wheeler behind him... Yep... been there.