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Circuitrider

Circuitrider

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Passed my MSF class this weekend. Best $50 I've ever spent! I am so glad I didn't mess around with my FZ6 until I learned the basics. The confidence level is wonderful.

I'm also thankful for this forum for little bits here and there about motorcycles. When I was riding the suzuki 250 I noticed it wasn't running right. I told the instructor and he looked at me like, "yeah, right". I told him not turning my head was all me, but the engine dying was a stuck choke. Sure enough it was.

Today I have a meeting about 3 hours away. I have chosen a route without twisties or interstate. I need the hours, might as well save some gas.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
SweaterDude said:
dont fear the interstate. its the safest place you can be. (generally)

but definitely ease into the bike before going crazy.
Click to expand...

Agreed, after I finished my MSF course I was a bit fearful of getting on major highways, as I was when I first started with a car. However, over the past few months I have found that I rarely encounter a problem on the highway.

Not that I have had any problems on back roads yet either, but I'm always watching for 'that car' who might not see me at an intersection.
 
my first ride after I bought my bike was around 4 hours. I planned on using my phone for sat nav, and it promptly died after 30 mins. somehow made it home following street signs going from city to city and hoping I had the order right.

In terms of advice, always do your lifesaver (over the shoulder) checks whenever moving left to right or braking hard. Check your indicators every so often too, I tend to cancel mine whenever I turn a corner, whether I used them or not.
 
Give me a yell when you get back. I'm trying to get one of the pass-around stock seats so we can go back and forth on the Spencer seat mod.
 
Well you were all right, that was quite the ride for my backside! WoW! It was about 4 hours total with a break at the middle and to make sure my viewing surfaces were clean.

I had a couple funny things happen. I had a guy ahead of me throw something out his window. I heard stories at MSF class about harley guys taking marbles and throwing them at motorists that cut them off, so instantly I saw marbles. Thank God I did well on the swerving exercises. It was probably ice but each piece was the exact size and shape. Weird.

Also saw my first deer on a bike. It was really cool but quite the reality check.

The crappy thing is that the weather is now turning bad for my departure. I was willing to deal with 10% chance, now it is higher. I have gear and will take my time. I'm also going to hit the BMV and get my license so I won't be illegal if I don't make it home before dark. I get out at 4pm or maybe a bit earlier. I had enough large trucks on the highway today that I might just take the interstate and hoof it home. At least that way I won't be as likely to kill the engine like I did twice today in Bloomington, lol.

I was looking at other risk factors and totally botched the clutch! So I'm thankful the guy behind me didn't hit me. I kept my back brake on just so the light was letting him know I was an idiot and hadn't moved yet. The other one was coming out of a gas station onto a side road. That time I had eye contact and he knew what was going on. I had it figured out by the next town and just did a little walking to get started and everything was fine.

But yes, I believe a new seat is in order. I get paid mileage for this trip so taking the bike was insanely smart :rockon:

Anyway, thanks everyone for the support. I'm going to keep working on the basics and enjoy everything along the way. I'm hooked. (and she never went over 5500 rpm or 75 mph...I showed restraint....okay so maybe 85 when I passed the asshat that threw out the marbles/ice)
 
Dang, $50 is a steal. I think I spent $300 for mine and still think it was worth it. Ride as much as you can, in as many different enviornments as you can. When I first got my bike (3 months ago), I was scared as **** to go 70mph on the highway or red line it, so you have a big leg up on me
 
Man, i hit a brick last friday because i was following perhaps a bit too close and didnt see it coming. A brick at 80 will scare the heck out of you, but its not too bad. swerve to miss what you can buy its not always death to hit something.

Sent from my YP-G70 using Tapatalk 2
 
Watch those deer- they are killers!

Never hit any animal you can't eat at one sitting!

I put 12k on a stock seat and I'm an old guy, OUCH A better seat is always a good upgrade.
 
In Indiana ABATE is funded for MSF class through the registration of a motorcycle. Every bike is $7 towards the class. That is why it is so reasonable to take it. They figured more folks would take the safety course if it was only $50 even though it is worth much more.
 
Circuitrider said:
In Indiana ABATE is funded for MSF class through the registration of a motorcycle. Every bike is $7 towards the class. That is why it is so reasonable to take it. They figured more folks would take the safety course if it was only $50 even though it is worth much more.
Click to expand...

In PA our MSP (MSF equivalent) courses are free! It is funded by a fee paid when getting or renewing your motorcycle permit. Which is only $10 :Flash:

Our advanced rider courses and even three wheel rider courses are free of charge too! Who could say no to that? :thumbup:
 
Took the interstate home. It was quite the adventure going around Indy at rush hour!

Stayed on the bike for almost 3 hours with no break. Beat all the rain so it was worth it to have a sore bum!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Circuitrider said:
Well you were all right, that was quite the ride for my backside! WoW! It was about 4 hours total with a break at the middle and to make sure my viewing surfaces were clean.

I had a couple funny things happen. I had a guy ahead of me throw something out his window. I heard stories at MSF class about harley guys taking marbles and throwing them at motorists that cut them off, so instantly I saw marbles. Thank God I did well on the swerving exercises. It was probably ice but each piece was the exact size and shape. Weird.

Also saw my first deer on a bike. It was really cool but quite the reality check.

The crappy thing is that the weather is now turning bad for my departure. I was willing to deal with 10% chance, now it is higher. I have gear and will take my time. I'm also going to hit the BMV and get my license so I won't be illegal if I don't make it home before dark. I get out at 4pm or maybe a bit earlier. I had enough large trucks on the highway today that I might just take the interstate and hoof it home. At least that way I won't be as likely to kill the engine like I did twice today in Bloomington, lol.

I was looking at other risk factors and totally botched the clutch! So I'm thankful the guy behind me didn't hit me. I kept my back brake on just so the light was letting him know I was an idiot and hadn't moved yet. The other one was coming out of a gas station onto a side road. That time I had eye contact and he knew what was going on. I had it figured out by the next town and just did a little walking to get started and everything was fine.

But yes, I believe a new seat is in order. I get paid mileage for this trip so taking the bike was insanely smart :rockon:

Anyway, thanks everyone for the support. I'm going to keep working on the basics and enjoy everything along the way. I'm hooked. (and she never went over 5500 rpm or 75 mph...I showed restraint....okay so maybe 85 when I passed the asshat that threw out the marbles/ice)
Click to expand...

If you didn't only barely survive then it wasn't really your first ride! If you're like me you'll enjoy riding more and more the better at it you get, and executing a maneuver correctly just feels great.

Also yes, you are experiencing the relationship every man has between his butt and his fz6 stock seat. Like women, you just can't stop coming back, but you wonder why even normal things have to be so damn hard! (Like sitting down in this case).
 
aclayonb said:
Man, i hit a brick last friday because i was following perhaps a bit too close and didnt see it coming. A brick at 80 will scare the heck out of you, but its not too bad. swerve to miss what you can buy its not always death to hit something.

Sent from my YP-G70 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

My riding buddy once hit a dead deer that was in the middle of the road. running over a 130 lb animal at 80 mph is a bit more unnerving than a tiny brick. He was able to stay on bike somehow!
 
Yeah, those MSF coaches don't always know everything :rolleyes:. But, the bikes really do take a lot of abuse. If someone mentions they think something is wrong, I'll ride the bike on the next demo and probably half the time they're right.

Welcome to the club! It's always good to have another member.
 
Took my first leisure ride today. Did 37 miles and finished my tank off. Second tank was 49.1 mpg after interstate driving.

I took the curves today really slowly and worked on turning my head to see as far in as I could and rolling on the throttle at the apex of the curve, look for gravel, etc.

I still need work on smooth takeoffs from a standstill. Just more hours :)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
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