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Post by WindSister on Jul 25, 2017 10:50:53 GMT -5
Congrats ... wishing you many happy miles!! The more you ride, the better it will be. Once you learn how the bike reacts to different inputs, it will become instinctual, which will help your reaction times. Thanks for the vote of confidence! Some things currently scare me like making left or right hand turns on streets.... going to practice that one tonight at the Subdivision Ghost Town. Being in actual traffic terrifies me, too - I will wait on that one till after my safety course. (aug 12,13). I got her shifted into 2nd and 3rd last night and back down again to stop so that was an accomplishment. I also learned to ride the clutch smoothly on the cul-de-sac turn so I didn't lurch or have to use the brake. That felt like an accomplishment.  I also learned I freaking LOVE IT and feel a new addiction starting! As I drove home from work in the long line of SUV's, all of us looking like the same person, minions going to and from work, I thought.. "Man, I want to be on my bike!!" And then I got on her and felt better.  Thanks for chiming in. And thanks ILIASM people for humoring me sharing this adventure here. |
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Post by WindSister on Jul 25, 2017 10:54:59 GMT -5
Thanks also worksforme2 for the vote of confidence. and hopingforachange - it's just amazing how fast things can go wrong, that's the part that has my attention. Glad you weren't hurt on your spill - egos are repairable, most of the time. My calf burn looks really bad and I have received advise on how to minimize scarring (creams and what not, which I am using) but I don't fear scars - they tell a story and I don't hate the story this one tells. I am just not looking to create any new ones! |
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Post by WindSister on Jul 28, 2017 11:35:56 GMT -5
Okay. So I don't care about the scar that will be left by this exhaust burn, but I am looking forward to actually getting to that point because my leg is gross and wow, burns are painful. Gotta be the worse kind of pain (course, I never had kids, so what do I know). I think it IS healing in it's own grotesque way. Still worth it.
WHY is it still worth it?
I don't know.
Been reading a lot from people about "WHY" they ride a motorcycle. Being still new, I can't say for sure this is going to be a genuine passion of mine, but I think I am well on my way to that. I have to get over riding scared, but that will only come with doing it and more training. Last night I was on a highway - 55 mph and super curvy around a lake. I liked it a lot! A car came up on us as we were going to turn off and I didn't panic. I didn't rush it. I was able to execute safely by just focusing on what I had to do.
That's the thing with riding a motorcycle, though, I suppose especially being so new.. ALL my attention is on that one thing: riding. When I get home I just sit on it a bit and take it all in. My husband laughs at me. "What are you doing?" "Just processing the ride."
I mean, it's crazy......... barreling down the road sitting on an engine with two wheels. You FEEL the speed even at 20-30 mph and then when you go up to 55... phew! You take that speed for granted in a big bulky car, you don't even know you are doing it, but yes, you feel it on the bike.
Things to work on in the coming rides:
~ Turning on new roads more safely, not so granny-like slow
~ Not popping a wheelie when up-shifting (that was freaky!!!!) Okay, it wasn't actually a wheelie, but I was firmly lectured it could happen, don't do that... release the clutch slow.
~ Turning off the blinker when the turn is made (my husband honks at me if I forget this one)
~ Continue to breathe, think, scan, not panic and don't actually be afraid. I own this bike!
It's definitely getting me out of my comfort zone --- it would be easy to say, "Oh, let's take a break" but I won't get better taking a break. I rode through town with success, stopping at stop signs, etc. No traffic, so that was easy, but still. Oh, even got in and out of the garage successfully (our drive way has a big dip between it and the street).
On a side note, I read that Harley and other companies are feeling a pinch because the number of new riders is declining now. Millennials (those crazy kids) are not taking to riding at all. I can only think because it's a mindful activity and that crew is wired to be wired -- to their phones that is. Or they are lazy. I don't know. But it seems sad. My Generation is picking up where baby boomers are leaving off (though a lot of baby boomers are buying Spyders and Trikes now) and then after my generation the interesting is waning, waning, waning.
Found that interesting.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2017 18:02:07 GMT -5
Truth be known, all bikes are vibrators. Harley is just the most popular. I used to have a Honda CB750, and loved to hear the scream from the girl on the back when I'd downshift and crank the engine. There is nothing like a Harley to leave a wet spot on the bitch seat. |
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Post by baza on Jul 28, 2017 18:32:03 GMT -5
The boring low speed stuff - turning the bike around in the street on full lock, crawling along at less than walking pace while keeping your feet on the pegs, squeezing the brake and clutch on, keeping the thing balanced at a crawl etc etc will be the foundation of your safety.
It is not difficult to sit on a bike doing 100kph, the laws of velocity and inertia see to that. But it is the low speed maneuvering of the machine that will be the base knowledge and "feel" that underpins everything else.
It's nowhere near as much "fun" as burbling along at cruising speed, but that really low speed mastery of the little nuances of the bikes balance is worth the concentration and time you invest in practicing it.
You get that low speed control, and confidence happening, then the rest will follow on naturally.
Geez it's good fun eh.
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Post by ironhamster on Jul 28, 2017 19:44:28 GMT -5
Truth be known, all bikes are vibrators. Harley is just the most popular. I used to have a Honda CB750, and loved to hear the scream from the girl on the back when I'd downshift and crank the engine. There is nothing like a Harley to leave a wet spot on the bitch seat. I think that's the big attraction of the V twins, and the old muscle cars. The low, penetrating vibration. But, "nothing like"? I am wondering about that. Suspended rope bondage with a happy knot and a Hitachi ... maybe I just better stop right there. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2017 20:25:05 GMT -5
There is nothing like a Harley to leave a wet spot on the bitch seat. I think that's the big attraction of the V twins, and the old muscle cars. The low, penetrating vibration. But, "nothing like"? I am wondering about that. Suspended rope bondage with a happy knot and a Hitachi ... maybe I just better stop right there. Don't stop. Ooh please. Yes, yesss, YESSS! Oh, sorry. "Nothing like" because the subject at hand is motorcycles. Perhaps a thread in Sexually Speaking exploring your penchant for knots and toys may be better discussed there. 😈 |
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Post by DryCreek on Jul 28, 2017 21:45:19 GMT -5
@andie, meet ironhamster. I believe you two may have a common interest... |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2017 22:31:21 GMT -5
@andie, meet ironhamster. I believe you two may have a common interest... Which is, apparently, discussing what motorcycle gives the best orgasm. Awake, congrats. I can't wait to hear more about it. |
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Post by ironhamster on Jul 29, 2017 4:39:15 GMT -5
@andie, meet ironhamster. I believe you two may have a common interest... Which is, apparently, discussing what motorcycle gives the best orgasm. Awake, congrats. I can't wait to hear more about it. I never had a Harley, so I can't compare them with the sport bikes. I do think the Harleys have the best reputation for warming up a girl. At present, I don't have either. My bike is a mountain bike. It won't take a passenger, but the engine is in great shape. |
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Post by hopingforachange on Jul 31, 2017 13:22:44 GMT -5
While I don't have a Harley, I have a Buell Blast, which is a Sportster engine with 1 cylinder cut off. And yes, that thing shakes as bad as you think it would. I have watched is shake it's way down the street on the kickstand. Before we had the 2 kids, the Wife rode on the back with me a few times, she wouldn't acknowledge it but her thighs would squeeze me when the rpms and engine load was just right. Since it has a sports bikeish seat design, your leaning slightly forward right on the lady bits with the seat right between your thighs.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2017 15:28:57 GMT -5
Okay. So I don't care about the scar that will be left by this exhaust burn, but I am looking forward to actually getting to that point because my leg is gross and wow, burns are painful. Gotta be the worse kind of pain (course, I never had kids, so what do I know). I think it IS healing in it's own grotesque way. Still worth it. WHY is it still worth it? I don't know. Been reading a lot from people about "WHY" they ride a motorcycle. Being still new, I can't say for sure this is going to be a genuine passion of mine, but I think I am well on my way to that. I have to get over riding scared, but that will only come with doing it and more training. Last night I was on a highway - 55 mph and super curvy around a lake. I liked it a lot! A car came up on us as we were going to turn off and I didn't panic. I didn't rush it. I was able to execute safely by just focusing on what I had to do. That's the thing with riding a motorcycle, though, I suppose especially being so new.. ALL my attention is on that one thing: riding. When I get home I just sit on it a bit and take it all in. My husband laughs at me. "What are you doing?" "Just processing the ride." I mean, it's crazy......... barreling down the road sitting on an engine with two wheels. You FEEL the speed even at 20-30 mph and then when you go up to 55... phew! You take that speed for granted in a big bulky car, you don't even know you are doing it, but yes, you feel it on the bike. Things to work on in the coming rides: ~ Turning on new roads more safely, not so granny-like slow ~ Not popping a wheelie when up-shifting (that was freaky!!!!) Okay, it wasn't actually a wheelie, but I was firmly lectured it could happen, don't do that... release the clutch slow. ~ Turning off the blinker when the turn is made (my husband honks at me if I forget this one) ~ Continue to breathe, think, scan, not panic and don't actually be afraid. I own this bike! It's definitely getting me out of my comfort zone --- it would be easy to say, "Oh, let's take a break" but I won't get better taking a break. I rode through town with success, stopping at stop signs, etc. No traffic, so that was easy, but still. Oh, even got in and out of the garage successfully (our drive way has a big dip between it and the street). On a side note, I read that Harley and other companies are feeling a pinch because the number of new riders is declining now. Millennials (those crazy kids) are not taking to riding at all. I can only think because it's a mindful activity and that crew is wired to be wired -- to their phones that is. Or they are lazy. I don't know. But it seems sad. My Generation is picking up where baby boomers are leaving off (though a lot of baby boomers are buying Spyders and Trikes now) and then after my generation the interesting is waning, waning, waning. Found that interesting. So glad to hear about someone new giving it a try. I've been riding both off and on road now for 42 years and it's what keeps me sane. I've had many bikes over the years (only one Harley though) and my current daily commuter is a 17 year old Ducati that's just makes me grin every day. I hope you find even half of the joy that I have in this activity. Lots of good advice on here too about gear and MSF classes. Enjoy the ride. |
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Post by wewbwb on Aug 1, 2017 7:08:32 GMT -5
 And in a year..... |
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Post by WindSister on Aug 1, 2017 12:49:39 GMT -5
wewbwb - that is just wrong, wrong, wrong... ha. Leave it to you to find it, though. @tooyoungtobeold -thanks for video, it was good. Love all the Youtube videos I have found on the topic so far. Good stuff! Haven't been on the bike for a lot of days now due to our busy weekend and this burn wound of mine at a sensitive point. I really shouldn't cover it at this point so working on getting it healed (slow process, apparently).
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Post by WindSister on Aug 7, 2017 8:45:56 GMT -5
Yes. I Need to update someone, somewhere! lol My brother will tolerate my updates (via text) but then if I talk too much bike with him he starts sending me damn pictures of those who have fallen and have road rash. I sent him a picture of my burn - that shut him up a bit. lol I get it, bad things can happen on a bike. It's not stopping me. I am treating this burn 3 times a day, I still get on the bike. The more I do, too, the more I LOVE IT!!!!!!! (that requires a ton of exclamation points!) My husband is, of course, awesome. I am sorry, but he is. In. Every. Way. So patient. So supportive. So caring. So protective. He pushes me out of my comfort zone but in a kind way. In a "you can do this" way. We put on over 90 miles this weekend including driving in a town of a population of 13,000. I did it!!!!! It's a big deal to me, I can't help it. We stopped for a taco and it was the most exciting lunch date I have ever been on. Ate outside in the sun, the bikes gleaming in the sun because bikes still have chrome and are shiny. Who knew going for a taco could be so damn fun? Motorcyclists -- motorcyclists know. I love it so much. All of it. The culture, the other riders saluting as you pass by (I haven't yet because I can't let go of the handlebar comfortably, still a little tense). As I am cruising, I find myself just smiling. It's fun. I am smoother at shifting, don't make that "waaaaaH' sound anymore when I up shift, it's becoming second nature to pull the clutch, brake and shift down before turns and at stops. I learned to ride in the staggered formation with my husband - pulling up beside him at stop signs (if I we are going straight through it). Cars around me don't "scare" me anymore. Yeah, it's exciting. The class is coming up this weekend so I am excited about the skills I will take with me, and hopeful I will pass the test. The class is the same my husband did four years ago and they have a facebook page. Turns out they post pictures of every class, so we found his album from the date he went and he had a ton of really cool pictures that he didn't even know about! He had to ride the ninja, I hope I don't get that bike. But it was so cool to see him in action (that was right before he and I met). I hope I can do as well! He said one woman failed but he doesn't think I will fail, so I will trust him in his belief in me. Here they are all shined up after the ride. We will probably go out tonight again. Thanks for letting me share my excitement.  |
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