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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1091023232 Message started by Susan on 07/28/04 at 07:00:32 |
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Title: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/28/04 at 07:00:32 I am a new rider and it has been one month since I got my Savage (2004 purple). I thought I would share how the month has gone. If you are a new rider, maybe you can avoid some of my mistakes. If you are an experienced rider, maybe you’ll learn something you can use when you are helping a new rider or maybe it will just be a trip down memory lane… Why I Started Riding: I have been a happy passenger on my husband’s bike (Triumph Thunderbird) for several years. Last fall he wanted to take the MSF course as a refresher and I decided to take it too. I love adventure and thought it might be fun to learn how to ride. The course was excellent. I had so much fun I couldn’t stop smiling for days afterwards! Seriously! I loved the feel of the wind, leaning the bike (scraped the foot pegs twice in the class), and being in the driver’s seat. Incidentally, I got a better score on the riding test than my husband who has been riding for almost 20 years. Note to new riders: TAKE THE COURSE. It will give you confidence, help you get your license, teach you useful things and save your butt more than once. Besides, wouldn’t you rather drop their bike then yours? More on dropping the bike later… Why a Savage: I knew a 250 would be a poor choice for me given my penchant for performance, but needed a relatively light bike with a low seat height (I am 4’ 10” and just over 100 pounds). I also wanted a bike that I could manage; that would be peppy and fun; that could keep up with my husband’s bike; and, that wouldn’t bore me after a week! The Savage was the only bike that fit the bill for me. I love the responsive handling, the low-end torque, the way it almost leaps into gear (in a good way), the sound and even the little backfire poofs. This scoot has character! Lessons learned in next post... |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/28/04 at 07:02:34 Learning to Ride (First Two Weeks): Started out in parking lots, practicing what I learned at the MSF course. Was scary riding MY bike. Amazed it was MY bike! Did a lot of starts, stops, turns, figure eights, and riding in circles. Because I live in a particularly hilly place with lots of curves, I also practiced starting on a hill and having to make a tight turn. After two extended parking lot sessions, I was ready to head to a local park (has some traffic, but not much). Did ok but ended up stalling at a stop sign and had trouble getting going again. Cars behind me added pressure and highlighted my greatest problem. My BIGGEST ISSUE was/is starting out smoothly into a turn. I was afraid to give it too much gas as I did not want to shoot out and end up in the ditch on the other side of the road, so I tended not to give it enough gas and then the bike would buck and stall. Dropped the bike because of this (see below). I am getting better and what has helped me the most is learning to pull the clutch in if needed so that I don’t stall the bike. Is only an issue in tight turns up or down a hill. In the beginning it was hard to remember everything – things that come so naturally to experienced riders. Things like shifting smoothly, how to take a curve – decelerate before (if needed) so you can accelerate through the curve; using and TURNING OFF the turn signal; using both brakes evenly; and remembering that cars may not see me. All are coming with practice and time. Just a month in and I am much more competent. Learning to Ride (Second Two Weeks): Gradually have gotten more comfortable. Am now riding in traffic, on major roads. Took my first solo ride recently (during early riding, husband accompanied me on his bike). I felt great riding on my own (the joy, the freedom!) but of course I still have a ton to learn. Was reminded of this recently when we were riding over a bridge and saw a kayaker. My husband was riding behind me. We also kayak so I wanted him to see the kayaker. I waved to the kayaker and then looked in my rearview mirror to see if my husband saw me. Was just in a silly mood. Well, next thing I know I look up and discovered I was awfully close to a guard rail (there was a slight curve in the road I had missed in my silliness). It was close. I was scared but recovered fine (my husband said he was sure I was going down). A lesson to me: PAY ATTENTION at all times! Dropping the Bike: Am bummed it happened but it did. My driveway is on an incline and to get out of it, you have to make either a left-hand turn up a steep hill or a right turn down a steep hill. The ditch on the other side is deep and surrounded by woods so not making the turn would be a very bad thing. On my first official ride to the park (having graduated from parking lots) I stopped, made sure the way was clear and then tried to turn right. I turned the fork because of the tight turn and proceeded to stall the bike. It bucked and given that the fork was turned, I lost control and dropped the bike to the right. ANOTHER LESSON to me: learn to pull the clutch in if needed to avoid stalling! It is also worth mentioning that if I had been concentrating on leaning into the hill (like in skiing) I might have been able to keep the bike upright despite the stall. I was very shaken, upset and mad but ok. Protective gear worked well. Love the gear (see below). The bike has a small dent in the tank (courtesy of the handlebar), a scraped mirror, scarped foot peg and a broken rear turn signal. The handlebars also twisted out of alignment. My husband helped me fix the handlebars – we just took them off and realigned them. Funny story about our handlebar alignment job: when we were all done, we were putting back on the little plastic covers that go over the screws on the dogbone and my husband dropped one. We heard “ting, ting, ting, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle”. The darn thing rolled down the bike into the chrome engine cover right below the gas tank. Of course, we did not know that was where it was. Spent over an hour figuring it out and had our first “fun” experience taking off the gas tank. Story is only funny now. Was not funny then! Joy, mods and gear in next post... |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/28/04 at 07:04:27 The Joy: How cool it is to ride; and to ride a Savage. I love living in the moment, concentrating on the road, the feel and sound of the bike, the joy of curves, riding just to ride. Do I sound hooked? The gas mileage is cool too. Later in the summer or early in the fall, when I have a little more experience, we are planning a long weekend trip on the bikes. Destination not critical; the idea is to ride! Bike Modifications: This is a great bike “as is”, but there were a few things I knew I wanted to do. My mods are currently in progress so more to report later, but here is the list: seat (custom mod); saddlebags (Suzuki bracket and Willie & Max bags); engine guard (Suzuki); and windshield (Memphis Shades Memphis Slim 15” is on order). Note on the engine guard: I wouldn’t buy this again – on the instructions from Suzuki at the bottom in small print it says something like “for decorative purposes only” and it did not protect anything when I dropped the bike. Email me if you want to buy it – there isn’t a scratch on it! Details on the seat: built a new seat using a hospital gel pad (the type they use for people who sit in wheelchairs all day long – was lucky enough to get one from someone my husband works with). Am almost done with the comfort adjustments – next will be to recover the seat in purple leather to match the bike. Have gotten rid of the back seat and we are building a fiberglass piece as a cover. Planning to paint it to match the body. Am also planning some lever adjustments to make them easier to manage for longer trips, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Gear: Full-face helmet (HJC – have had it for a while so I don’t know the model); mesh PowerTrip jacket (love this); always wear pants; Harley boots (they fit); and I am having gloves custom-made for my itty bitty fingers (from Thurlow – should be here this week). I will share thoughts on the gloves after I get them if anyone is interested. Well, that’s it for now. Hope my rambling is useful to someone and was at least entertaining. Can you believe that plastic piece ended up where it did?! |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by savagethumper on 07/28/04 at 09:51:54 ;) Welcome to the Savage club. I'm not being a smart-a-s-s, but why didn't you buy some old crappy bike to learn on and get comfortable, before buying a nice new bike. I bought my 2001 a little used, and I had riding experience. My next bike may be a new one, but after a few years of riding, I still consider myself a newbie. Don't feel bad, though, my first bike was a $800 Suz 250 that was scratched up, and less than perfect, but it was perfect for learning because I wasn't too concerned with the look of it. It was light and nimble and great for getting accustomed to clutching, and braking. I had it 2 years before I moved up to a nicer, newer bike. So far, I haven't so much as scratched the Savage, knock on wood. Gotta go, but be careful, and we look forward to hearing about your next ride. Keep the rubber side down. |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/28/04 at 10:18:41 Thanks for the thoughts savagethumper. And don't worry about being a smart-a-s-s. All questions are good! I did look for a used Savage but couldn't find what I wanted, when I wanted it. Also Savages seem to hold their value pretty well so the older ones in the shape I wanted weren't that much of a price break. Besides maybe its a girl thing... but I love purple! :D Ride often, have fun, Susan |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mo Post by Savage_Rob on 07/28/04 at 11:10:15 I saw the Suzuki engine guard and thought it looked kind of wimpy too. I ordered one from Accessories International and just put it on last weekend. It's probably much more like what you are looking for. Try this: http://www.accessoryinternational.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AI&Product_Code=AUSWLS02 |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mo Post by Greg_650 on 07/28/04 at 14:26:08 Susan wrote:
Sounds similar to our riding life.... In 2000 I wanted another bike, but this time I didn't want my spouse to be a passenger. She had ridden 4 wheelers but never 2 by herself. So I talked her (and myself) into 2 bikes. A Savage and a GZ250 (great little bike). I taught her all that I knew for months....really, I drilled her and was very defensive for her, and I worked her on practice drills feverishly (because I know road rash). In the end she was ready for a step up and we got her a Savage in 2001....and then I got worried again, as she was riding too confidently with more power under her. We enrolled in the MSF the next year because it is difficult to get an opening in NC..... I had never taken the course in my 37 years riding, and she was a newbie....Wow, what a course. Not only can you ride some else's bike for 20 hours, but it is fun too. The instructors are great. Anyway, I learned that I had developed many bad habits over the years, and Julie learned how to really handle the bike. Bottom line? We got the SAME score. I lost points for going too fast through a curve (darn stop watch) and she lost points for stopping distance....2 points for each of us. That was humbling for me, and a boost for her. All in all it was great. Now I only worry about her because she actually out rides me sometimes and she has never fallen....oh well, she's younger than I am :P PS - I am a real MSF advocate....take the course, you'll never regret it. |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by savagethumper on 07/28/04 at 20:30:47 Susan wrote:
My significant other is the same way about purple. She likes the color of my bike, though. I guess I can let her inherit mine, and buy me a new S40 Boulevard. |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/29/04 at 07:24:42 Greg, Thanks for the note and your support about the MSF course! It was such a great thing. I think every new rider should take it. I learned so much in such a short time. Susan |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Junkboy on 07/29/04 at 11:35:04 Hello all. This is my first post. I am not even a new savage rider yet as I am putting my order in for one today and will get it next week. I just took the riders course a couple weekends ago and it was very helpful. thanks for the detailed description of your first month. I found it useful. |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/29/04 at 11:56:44 Hey Junkboy! I'm glad you found my ramblings useful. My best advice to you is to practice, take it slow at least until you get comfortable, remember what they taught you in the MSF course, remember to TURN OFF your turn signal and have fun! Susan P.S. And learn from my silliness mistake -- the road can change in an instant so ALWAYS pay attention. |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mo Post by Greg_650 on 07/29/04 at 15:04:44 Susan wrote:
The MSF wasn't around when I started riding, and I never thought that I NEEDED it..... Not to mention that my "newbie then" spouse got to watch me lay mine down in some leaves one day before we took the course. Nothing serious except scratches on the bike, my jeans, leather jacket and mostly my pride :o It was a good case of looking where I WASN'T going because I looked back to see where she was....(see, I included visual aids with my training program) 8) |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mo Post by Savage_Rob on 07/30/04 at 06:24:56 I hadn't ridden in about 14 years and heard about the MSF course through this and other bike forums I'd been reading. I thought it'd be a good refresher. It was even better. I heartily recommend it to anyone who hasn't taken it. I plan to attend the advanced course in a few months. |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/30/04 at 08:21:48 Went on the highway for the first time last night. It was ok except merging was a little scary and big bumps are a lot bigger at 65 mph. Just kept focused and remembered what I learned in MSF class and it was fine. Back country roads are a lot more fun but the highway was ok. Still grinning everytime I get off the bike! Susan |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/30/04 at 08:24:09 "Still grinning everytime I get off the bike"... to clarify... probably grinning while I'm on the bike too, you just can't see it because of the full-face helmet. 8) Loving riding! Susan |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by gitarzan on 07/30/04 at 14:38:09 When I decided to get a bike again, I checked into it but the waiting list was way out there, so... I was so glad I kept my MC endorsement active all those cage only years and don't have to go thru the learner's permit and test again. Anyway, I do realize that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and decided to read up on MC riding theory and tactics. Somewhere I had an old book from the 70's called, "How To Ride To Save Your Hide," but was too lazy to go upstairs to get it. I had read elsewhere in the meantime, that there was a series of books called, "Proficient Motorcycling." Here is a link: http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product.asp?id=PM PM (I got the first book) is excellent. I've learned things I did not know, realized things I did do but wasn't aware that I was doing it. I honed my skills and think more proactively when I ride. Check it out. Buy it. You will NOT regret it. http://www.whitehorsepress.com/products/images/large/PM.jpg |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mo Post by Greg_650 on 07/31/04 at 04:58:32 ;D ;) :) 8) :D |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mods, Post by Susan on 07/31/04 at 13:50:59 Gitarzan -- Thanks for the tip on "Proficient Motorcycling". Greg -- Thanks for the thoughts on Clymer vs. Suzuki manuals. I ordered Proficient Motorcycling and the Clymer manual today. Susan |
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Title: Re: One Month: A New Rider Rept (Lessons, Mo Post by Greg_650 on 08/01/04 at 03:44:41 You're on the way now ::) |
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