It's gonna need a few nickel-and-dime things, but it's in pretty good shape overall. Now I just need to learn how to ride it... I tried (and I stress TRIED) a pass around the court, but my ineptness prevented me from even making a straight line, let alone picking up any speed. And the speed bumps don't help any either. I'll post pics once I get some.

You'll make it Nitro. When I got my first bike. I rode it in the yard, never getting above 2nd gear, for several days. Then I went up and down the road and finally around the block. It just takes a little time, but if I can do it...anyone can...lol

Problem I've got is I don't have the greatest place to learn. I live in a trailer court, which would be perfect if it wasn't for the goddamn speed bumps... And as soon as you leave the court, you're on US-1, so that's not a great option quite yet. I guess I'll be able to learn the balance and weight at low speeds though, and hit route 1 from there.

Here's a couple of tips to get you around the court. Everytime you come to a stop, always, always, square up the handle bars. If you stop with them turned, you'll drop the bike. Always start out with the bars straight too-if you have to stop for any reason and the bars are turned, down she goes. The hardest part of riding is UNlearning to look at hazards. It's natural to look at something you don't want any part of, but on a cycle you go where you look. We call it target fixation. You have to keep focused where you want to go and use peripheral vision for the curbs, parked cars etc. Before you start tooling around the court, learn to stop. Use the front and the rear brakes. Go about 5-10 mph, stay in a straight line and work on stopping as quickly as possible without locking either wheel. If they do lock, don't panic, just keep going straight and ride it out. Use less pressure on the next try. Watch out for right turns. (this one's a little embarrassing for me ) When you turn right, don't twist the throttle as you turn the bars. You'll open her up and she'll take off like a bat out of hell. I did it twice before I figured that one out. Dropped the bike both times, luckily I didn't hit anything. Did pull a hamstring on the second one though, ouch. It's really too bad you don't have more room to practice in, but you'll do ok, I'm sure. When you have to strike out on the highway, try to go early Saturday or Sunday when there's less traffic. Good luck and keep us posted on how it's going.

And if you haven't signed up yet for the MSF Riders safety course yet, I highly recommend it. By the end of the 2 1/2 days you'll be doing staight lines, cone weaves, figure eights, emergency stops, swerving, etc.. Best way to learn ot ride, IMHO..

RB

Yeah, what RB said! It's worth every penny, even if you are in one of the states that pays for the course.

I've pondered taking the safety course if I don't pick it up quickly, but I'd like to avoid the expense.

I wouldn't try to learn to stop with both brakes - just use the dual front discs, they do all the work anyway. If on dirt or gravel then use the back. Somebody just did a great study that determined stopping with only the front brake yielded the shortest distance. This was due to being able to concentrate on applying the front brake and nothing else. I'm sure in theory that both brakes in conjunction with down shifting would yield the absolute shortest distance but tough for a human to do. Besides, I hate the idea of using the inside of my aluminum back wheel as a brake drum - which is what it is.

A friend of mine back home gave me the advice that when taking the riding test, use the rear brake more. He says it makes the braking smoother and less likely to get points deducted. I assume he just meant for the test, though.

Both of you....TAKE THE COURSE NOW!!! The MSF instructors know their stuff, and please, use both brakes. We want you with us for a very long time.

Knuckles,

I did take the MSF course as well as attend The California Superbike School for a weekend last year and still believe that in a panic stop on the street full concentration must be applied to the front brake only because there isn't time to "multi-task". Think about your car, could you operate two brake pedals in a panic stop as well as one (even with pratice)? If a rider routinely uses the front only then the panic stop becomes a quicker safer stop, IMO. Each rider has to do what they feel is best, and as far as I'm concerned stopping distances don't lie.

Yes, on my sportbike I'll sometimes use the rear disc as well as lots of engine braking when slowing down from 115 MPH to keep the front discs from getting to hot and glazing my nice "HH" rated pads.

I don't know what is currently being taught in courses, but when I learned to ride many years ago, conventional wisdom regarding panic stops was that you should learn to squeeze and stomp with both hands and both feet. That way you are going into a lower gear and using maximum braking power. Using only one brake (either front or back) is more likely to result in a skid than if both are applied. A skid can be a big problem, especially if happens when braking on a curve.

Gents,

All three braking discussions are NOT what they are currently teaching in the MSF riders course. They teach braking with both brakes. There is no way breaking with just the front you are going to stop quicker than using both (if you know how and do it consistently) and that was demonstrated to us at the riders course by the instructors. The rear brake is 20-40% of your stopping power and it does make a big difference.

However the points Bruce brought up are hotly debated in the motorcycle world. Whether to concentrate on one, or the other or both. Some think if you are not experienced with both you should just concentrate on the front. But effective breaking hard with the front takes lots of experience, and sooner or later if you don't let up when the front wheel skids, it is going to fold under and you are going down. It happens a lot at intersections because of what? anyone know...? .... because of the white lines which are very slippery, esp when wet with something. Some think because effective braking with the front takes so much concentration you should just brake hard with the back, let it skid and keep your head straight and use the rest of your concentration to deal with the problem in front of you.

However they (the MSF) do recommend that you always use your front brake to make sure you are in a habit of using it, so in a panic situation it is second nature to squeeze the front brake. However they teach that the most effective breaking is with both, and it is something you need to constantly practice so it is second nature.

In no case do you want to "Stomp" on the rear brake, you are asking for a skid. and if you do it on pavement and let up, you are looking the possibility of doing a high side flip if you are not absolutely 100% in a straight line. And of course, driving on dirt is a different situation entirely and takes a more sensitive touch with breaking.

The Front brake is 60-80% of your breaking power. You also don't want to hit the front brake so hard that you lock of the front tire. That is one of the quickest ways to drop the bike and plant you on your face. This was also demonstrated at the riders course, albeit by accident by an instructor with 20 years riding experience.

I spent over $360 on the riders course in NYS. I consider it the most valuable safety measure I have taken to date. I highly recommend you take it if you have not already done so. I don't think you will find anyone who has taken the course who thought it was a total waste of time. What you learn may just save your life, or keep you from dropping your bike and hurting yourself. What I learned I use every day, and what they taught me has gotten me out of a few trouble spots.

I also plan to take the experienced riders course in the spring.

More on breaking techniques here http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Riding_Tips.pdf

some different pointers here:
http://www.motorcyclesafety.state.mn.us/pages/tips_pages/tips_braking.html

and a different viewpoint from down under here:
http://webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/braking-tips.htm

RB

Expense of the MSF will be much cheaper then your medical deductable when you hurt yourself, not to mention damage to your bike. I STRONGLY recommend the MSF before you do ANY learning on your own.

I've pondered taking the safety course if I don't pick it up quickly, but I'd like to avoid the expense.

I'd encourage you to go to http://www.msf-usa.org/

In Washington, there's a subsidized course that costs $100 and unsubsidized for $240, the only difference being the wait for the cheaper course is much longer. Check out the prices for Maryland.

I know it seems like an unneccessary expense if you can get the bike moving. But there's no substitute for an experienced coach (the teachers are called coaches) watching you and giving you pointers based on what you are and aren't doing.

You'll significantly increase your chances of enjoying your bike for a long time.

I definately understand the usefulness of a course. I'm gonna see what all I have to do to register for the MVA's safety course, but even if I'm lucky, it won't be till spring. They have a "lottery" from the applicants, and fill the limited number of positions from that. And they don't carry over if you're not picked, you have to re-register for the next time. But I'll tell you what, I'm not waiting months and months to ride this thing... I'm DEFINATELY not gonna be some dumbass that just jets out on the highway as soon as I can keep it up straight. I know when I'm not good enough to do something, and I'll take it quite slowly. I'm not at all trying to refute what anyone is saying, I very much appreciate the concern. But I actually do know people that have been riding for many years and don't even have a LISCENCE, let alone training. I'm not saying this is a good practice by any means, but it goes to show that training isn't a necessity, but rather a good idea. This thread has made me give this a much more thorough thought of the situation, and I will take some training before getting too confident. But I'm also confindent in my ability to know my limits, and I'm not gonna pull the dumbass hick training method of getting my corpse scraped off the pavement in a traffic jam. In a nutshell, again I very much appreciate the advice and concern from everyone here, and you've swayed me to pursue professional training. But at the same time, I'm not gonna let lack of training keep me from cruising around the court from time to time (or attempting to at least) or keep me from picking things up on my own. Sorry for the novel I just wrote, but I just thought I'd voice my thoughts... And thanks to everyone again. I'm glad to belong to a community that's willing to help!

The novel is ok. I respect that you are trying to get in the class and you are taking it slow. Good luck!

Maryland courses are usually at each counties community college. Usually $100. They fill up fast, so get registered early in the spring. The MVA web site has a page showing all the course locations. They won't put you on a waiting list, but if you call them Thursday afternoon they will tell you if anyone has cancelled, and you can sign up for the cancelled slot. You can also show up at the course location and go on standby and if someone doesn't show up they will throw the the standby's name in hat and pick one for each open slot. I tried this a few time at Harford Community College, but never got in. The Harley Store does the Rider's Edge. Same course, $295, except they use Buell Blasts instead of Nighthawk 250s and the riding part is at a nearby school parking lot. They will put you on a waiting list and call you if a slot opens up. I did this and got in the huricane Isabel weekend last September 2003. Best money I ever spent.

Good Luck

Hey Nitro, you might try calling Cecil Comm. College.. they opened up some additional classes this month that my fiance and I registered for a week or so ago and we'll be taking it at the end of this month..

Cecil County is a bit of a hike, but we're excited about it, and it's only 3 days worth of commuting..

-Jared

I know here in Arkansas it takes a while to even talk to someone about the course. I guess you could say I am that "dumb hick" that just jumped on. I had very limited riding skills from a previous dirtbike. I say it took me a few months and a couple close calls to get confident enough. Some people learn things on there own and some pay money to be taught, it really boils down to how confident you feel when you sit on your bike. If theres any doubt, take the class. Good luck to you either way and keep us informed.

That was pretty much my thought on the subject. Many would assume, and rightfully so, that by trying to teach myself I'd be a jackass that would jump on and throttle out on to the streets and not let up till I'm unconcious with a massive head wound and punctured innards. The sad fact is a lot of people do or would do this. But I'm the type that would drive laps around this lil' court and be content with it before I'd let myself venture in to a less safe situation before I'm ready. And there's also the fact that by taking professional training, I would learn things that self-teaching could never really do.

For Arkansas.. bookmark this
http://arkansasabate.org/abat/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4
You might try contacting them too and get your name on the list