How did you learn how to ride a motorcycle and where?

Question

I took the MSF course and thats the only riding experience I have. Shortly after that I bought a Kawasaki EX500 to practice on but had to back surgery a week after I bought it so I haven't got much practice in.

I haven't got the idea of using both brakes so I'm kinda scared to drive to a parking lot and risk losing my balance at a stop and falling over in the street. Maybe I should drive to a parking lot real late at night when no one is on the road? The problem is I live near campus so everyone is up real late. How do I brake properly without making the bike come to an abrupt stop?

JohnPaulJones- I'm 97 lbs and 5'1 so I really can't handle a bike other than a Ninja or a Buell Blast. All other bikes I couldn't handle the weight, I tried a Suzuki and it was a no go.

JohnPaulJones- I wanted a 250, but I ended up finding a 500 that was really cheap. So I got the seat shaved lowering the seat height for me.

Answer 1

Starting in the parking lot is a great idea. I started in my driveway. I would walk it back wards to the end, put in first gear, balanced the clutch and rode it as far as I could go and stop safely and practiced braking and emergency braking that way. (Driveway is 5 m odd and ends at the house so I had to stop otherwise it could hurt a tad.) After I had stopped I would walk the bike back to the end and do it all over again.
When I was a little more confident I rode it around the back streets, and found a couple of steep hills with twisty corners to practice riding up and down. When I was touch more confident I rode to an empty car park on the weekend and would practice all the techniques for slow riding cone weave, braking, cornering, obstacle avoidance....... and then rode all the way back home afterwards.
I was taught throttle off clutch in, ease on front brake, tap gear lever till in first, then slowly ease on rear brake as it helps stabilise the bike at slow speeds. (Great at emergency braking or braking quickly) At slow speeds apply light pressure to the rear brake increase your throttle (so the bike is revving slightly higher) and keep your hand on the clutch at just over the friction point until you can speed up to allow the clutch fully out and the foot fully off the rear brake.
Because you live near a campus you have the advantage of riding slowly through the campus streets. Take advantage of that, don't worry about what others are thinking, just concentrate on what you are doing and practice. The technique you were taught at your MSF course is what you need to practice, and the more you do it the more confident you will become. Trust yourself, KNOW that YOU CAN!

Answer 2

I once heard a preacher define sin as trying to accomplish a good thing in a bad way. There's nothing wrong with wanting to look cool, experience the freedom of the road, or get 55 miles to the gallon riding to work. The wrong part lies in the means some people try to accomplish it, by putting themselves at unnecessary risk. Legally, in some states, you can take a written test and an eye test, then go buy a bike with enough horsepower for a reasonably fast sports car and ride it out of the dealership without wearing a helmet. This is what I would consider the wrong way to learn to ride a motorcycle. Here is my idea of the best way to learn how to ride. I did not completely adhere to this best way myself - and I started riding at 28; you are not too old. First, take a riding class where you'll spend a weekend riding a small bike in a safe environment. You'll learn a lot of the basics of motorcycling this way. The office that issues your driver's license will have a list of approved riding classes. Then go to a motorcycle shop and get a full suit of safety gear. Road rash is not sexy. I'd recommend the whole outfit - helmet, boots, gloves, jacket, and pants. You'll want to make sure the jacket and pants are armored (that is, they have heavy padding in the knees, elbows, shoulders, and back) and at least the jacket has vents so you can wear it in hot weather. And get a good first bike and start practicing your riding skills, in parking lots and side streets at first. Once you build up your skills, you can venture out into more traffic and work your way up to things like the Interstate or night riding. I've got four rules about what makes a good first bike: It should have no more than about 50 hp, it should be light enough that you could pick it up if it fell over, you should be able to get both feet firmly in contact with the ground when on the saddle, and it should just feel like the right bike. This will help ensure you're getting a bike that's safe and appropriate for learning on. Remember, this will be your first bike, not your last.

Answer 3

I learned by carving a ditch around my Dad's house with a Maverick mini bike in 1968, then started riding dirt bikes and then street bikes were a reasonably easy transition. I know that doesn't help you much... but since you asked....
.... I did take the MSF course several years ago and IMO they really do a good job of teaching motorcycle skills. Maybe if you could re-read the booklet that they gave you at the MSF course it would refresh your memory of what they taught you. Then take your bike to an Isolated area and practice what you learned at the MSF course.
"How do I brake properly without making the bike come to an abrupt stop?"
Just don't apply as much pressure, and as the bike slows, gradually let off the brake. Use just enough to get it stopped.
Each time you ride you'll get a bit better at it. The most helpful advice I can give is to turn your head in the direction of your turns, gradually accelerate in turns (SLLR) and don't use much (if any) front brake on turns or slippery surfaces.
Walk next to your bike and push it with the handlebars, then turn the handlebars and pull the front brake lever and you will quickly understand why it's a bad idea to use the front brake in a turn. (I had to learn the hard way.) If your going in a straight line, apply both brakes with equal and gradual pressure. Then as you come to a stop, gradually let off the front brake. You'll get the hang of it.
Like vamedic said, "practice practice practice, you'll be fine."
I hope the surgery went well :)
Ride safe

Answer 4

First - I went out and bought a 72 honda somthing or other, used of course, this was 1977. Got on it and rode off in traffic. Lucky I didnt kill myself in the first 2 blocks.
Kept riding until I got the hang of it. The bike as I recall was chopped a bit and only had a rear brake. (Drum brake to boot) so learning to stop was a bit of a challenge, especially panic stops.
Thats why you always want to use both brakes to stop. Trying to panic stop with just the rear brake is the easiest way I know to lay the bike down, painfully. Keep working at it and you'll get the hang of it.
If you're worried about dropping the bike as you near a stop, consider coming off the rear brake with your foot, but finish the stop with your front/hand brake. That way your feet are already down and prepared. (Thats one of the easiest ways to spot a novice though. With experience, stopping just comes naturally) But by all means, dont listen to anything I say here - Take the MSF course and do EVERYTHING they say.
And then PRACTICE some more.

Answer 5

First part first.
How? Climbed on my new bike (actually not new, yet pristine) and went. Front end went up and down a lot until I got the clutch hand smoothed out.
Where? Back roads on the way to work. Sometimes the dirt road from my house to the back roads. Was the short way.

Now, the important part.
Both brakes should be used, yes. I started with mostly the back. It took a while for me to really use the front, because I was a little scared of it. You have the benefit of having had a teacher tell you different. A plus.
A parking lot is a good idea. Don't go fast, start slowing with the rear brake, then add a little front brake. As you get used to it, it will start to come naturally. You are basically doing the same thing with your hand as your foot. Don't squeeze, but press. You will understand the difference when you try it. Gentle pressure=gentle braking. More=more.
A tip: Just before you come to a stop, let up a little on the front brake. You won't fall over.

Answer 6

My dad's 1938 Harley riding around in the hayfield before I was old enough for a license. Then out on the road in 1963. Been riding ever since. The MSF course is great. Take an advanced rider course too. Parking lots are better than hay fields. Brake soft and slow until you get the feel of it. Use both brakes. Do everything gently until you get more confident. Have fun.

Answer 7

Practice in your neighboorhood work on figure 8s which will need you to apply pressure to both brakes. Ride in your neighboorhood and day by day and the more your on your bike go a little further. Don't be scared wear your gear, I recommend having a friend that has a bike come with you. It might ease up on some of the tension you have. Don't worry though when I first stared riding I was feeling just as you were but I recommed doing what I stated above and you'll be fine. We all started out somewhere :)

Riding for 8 years
Owner of a 05' Ninja 250EX and 06' GSX-R 750

Answer 8

My lady ex500 doesn't sound like the bike for you since you need to lean forward a lot. if possible trade it in for a ninja 650, suzuki sv650 or a crusier with less leaning.

no panic braking with sudden gripping. smooth on both brakes. the front brakes have much more braking but use both.

as for balance bike won't fall over unless you lose speed at a stop or light with the bike leaned. remember power keeps the bike from falling over. apply some gas at low speeds. this is all in your msf manual. reread.

EDIT: with your build why don't you try the ninja 250. suzuki s40 is also good because it's low as well as the rebel. not much HP to these though...

Answer 9

Check this out you get what you can handle I went from a can-of-tuna to a ninja zx-6 to a yamaha R1 so take your time. 75% of your stoping power is in your front brake so practice until you get but use both at the same time to slow down faster and dont worry about falling over you will just get used to fact that you my go down once or twice but dont let that rule you.
you'll be ok . Ive been riding for 5 years on sport bikes and ive been in the emg. room 2 times but i have been down like 7 times for stupid mistakes. so in all dont rush it an dont quit cuz guyz flip when they c a chik fly by on a bike or at lest I do!!! that S*** is just sexy!!!!!

Answer 10

I grew up riding dirt-bikes in rural Alberta. Riding steep hills forces you to use the engines decompression to slow yourself down. And you must have absolute confidence in your ability to brake. practice on a closed off street or parking lot. just spend time in the sadddle.