Who remembers their first time? On a public road, that is!

[jeanied1]

Hi guys,

So I'm taking delivery of my First Ever Motorcycle on Tuesday - can't wait! And then I'm facing the nemesis of newbie riders everywhere...first time on public roads!

Does anyone have any advice - anecdotal or practical! - about how to ease into riding in traffic safely and confidently? I live in the city of Melbourne and luckily there are some quiet suburban roads near where I live to practise on. But what's the best way to go from a few laps round a traffic-free block to full-blown city-style traffic...and then freeways?

Would love to hear your stories and advice, y'all!

Jeanie

[T.REX63]

Well, try going on your first ride on public roads on an early Sunday morning. More time to focus on riding with less traffic. As the hours progress, traffic will increase on you...

...just a thought. All the best and enjoy

[othalan]

Oh, I remember my first time very well:

Denver, CO (USA). March 2006. I Hopped directly on to an interstate in the middle of the city (8+ lane divided highway at that point) and rode the bike home (30 miles of interstate, 5 more of local highways).

The joy and the terror fought mighty hard with each other all the way home.



I'd never recommend that method. But I'd not change it either if I could go back and do it again.

More realistically, just start off slow on empty streets around your house until you have a feel for the bike, then work up to busier streets. Rural highways are better than cities because there are fewer distractions (in spite of the faster speed).

Be extremely careful of surface hazards on the road - potholes, dirt, sand, dead animals, road construction, etc. Those were hard for me to remember to look for at first and I have the scars to prove it. It wasn't that they were all that dangerous (they were not) or hard to avoid (very easy to avoid in fact), watching out for that type of hazard was just completely foreign to me at first.

When you do start riding at night (which I recommend you avoid for a long time), I keep my eyes moving up and down the side of the lane away from oncoming traffic. This serves two purposes: (1) keeps you from being blinded by oncoming traffic which in turn means you can see better, and (2) keeps you alert for hazards at the side of the road - animals (deer around here), people, bicyclists, etc. Keeping your eyes moving while you do this is important to avoid target fixation, staring too long at bright white street signs (which ruins your vision), and keeps you generally more alert.

[MountaineerWV]

My first time...I had a '85 BMW and we found a secluded spot on a country road.

Oh wait, First time on a bike!

B14 in Germany. Started off in the local neighborhood and then jumped on B14 to Wurzburg. Germans are very cognizant of motorcycles on the road. I count myself lucky. In the States I probably would have been ran over or high sided about a half dozen times.

[steved1969]

I remember my first time very well, as it was back when (in the UK) you could ride anything up to a 125 with L Plates on a car licence without any training what so ever! My very first time on the road was my very first time riding a bike, an old Honda C90 that I bought and then had to learn to ride on my 3 mile trip home !!!!

Best advice I can give is to take it all at your own pace, just ride well within your comfort level. If you know anyone else who rides ask them to come with you as long as they are happy just bimbling around at whatever pace you are comfortable at.

[Old Swiver]

Jeanie, I found the best place to practice and get a feel for the road was in an industrial estate. Go there Saturday afternoon or all day Sunday, very light traffic and a variety of road surfaces and situations.
Best wishes. John

[SWift pedro]

Originally Posted by jeanied1

Hi guys,

So I'm taking delivery of my First Ever Motorcycle on Tuesday - can't wait! And then I'm facing the nemesis of newbie riders everywhere...first time on public roads!

Does anyone have any advice - anecdotal or practical! - about how to ease into riding in traffic safely and confidently? I live in the city of Melbourne and luckily there are some quiet suburban roads near where I live to practise on. But what's the best way to go from a few laps round a traffic-free block to full-blown city-style traffic...and then freeways?

Would love to hear your stories and advice, y'all!

Jeanie

Hi there jeanie there is a fantastic ex police motorcycle guy who trains people in roadcraft . great course one on one on the road Chequered Band rider training on 94494493 if no luck give me a call 0428599331

[jeanied1]

Originally Posted by SWift pedro

Hi there jeanie there is a fantastic ex police motorcycle guy who trains people in roadcraft . great course one on one on the road Chequered Band rider training on 94494493 if no luck give me a call 0428599331

Hey thanks for the steer, SWift Pedro (sorry about that bad pun there!!).

Actually it's a small world, cos the guy who's been training me so far - and indeed sold me my bike - is part of the Chequered Band brigade! He's offered to take me out for some advanced skills work in a few weeks, once I've had a bit of time to practise on the roads, which will be great.

Jeanie