Biker Billy the Novice

Originally Posted by Xan173

No probs. So are you going to do the next one which conveniently for you is from Plymouth 14 or 15th July?

A lot of us have been on these.

I'd like to but it says leave at least 3 weeks from sending your booking form in to the date which you want to attend - me thinks I might be too late. I think the next one is in Sept, so might have to be that.

Might be good to build my confidence and ability up in the meantime.

B*****ks! Seriously, phone them up and see if there's still places. That's just the council talking chuff, they usually do the booking side of things.

Hey Billy, I will be going on the Dorset ride in September and I'm gonna see if there's any spaces left on the bikesafe course if I can get an evening shift for either of the days.

I think Stingo will also be going up to Dorset as well as my mate on a Gixxer so we may be able to get a small group together.

Just a little advice, get out in some rush hour traffic in a city somewhere, it'll improve your hazard perception a huge amount and you'll learn to anticipate what other road users are gonna do better. A bit of filtering should help your confidence a little too!

Also, get out in the rain, I learnt to ride in the rain, which meant when it was dry I knew I could push a lot harder before I got bit on the **** by lack of riding ability/doing something stupid!

After that, there's some lovely roads out near you that you can practice at your own pace to better you ability/confidence. I often ride on my own from Plymouth to Callington, out to Saltash and back through to Torpoint, it's not too taxing and the roads don't get too busy that often.

Originally Posted by phil24_7

Hey Billy, I will be going on the Dorset ride in September and I'm gonna see if there's any spaces left on the bikesafe course if I can get an evening shift for either of the days.

I think Stingo will also be going up to Dorset as well as my mate on a Gixxer so we may be able to get a small group together.

Just a little advice, get out in some rush hour traffic in a city somewhere, it'll improve your hazard perception a huge amount and you'll learn to anticipate what other road users are gonna do better. A bit of filtering should help your confidence a little too!

Also, get out in the rain, I learnt to ride in the rain, which meant when it was dry I knew I could push a lot harder before I got bit on the **** by lack of riding ability/doing something stupid!

After that, there's some lovely roads out near you that you can practice at your own pace to better you ability/confidence. I often ride on my own from Plymouth to Callington, out to Saltash and back through to Torpoint, it's not too taxing and the roads don't get too busy that often.

Cheers for the reply Phil. Are you thinking of doing the Bikesafe in July or September then?

Would be great to join you on the ride over to Dorset if you don't mind? Where were you thinking of meeting?

I'm pretty happy in towns - my clutch control is good, balance ok etc - I don't find that hard at all. Its only on the open roads when I need to make sure my corner technique improves, otherwise I find myself running wide. Interestingly enough, I found the article in this months "Bike" really useful wrt feet position, and moving back from the tank and bending my arms - I feel a lot more in control of the bike in corners now, and learning to look through the corner, where I want to go, which is seeming to help me get round them!

Its amazing how much some practice and good advice can make a difference.

One think I need to learn / feel is how much grip I have - am sure its the same with anyone new to biking, but you feel like you are leant over a lot, and maybe no further to go - but in reality its not much at all.

The other thing that helped was whacking the preload up on the rear shock. im about 17 stone, and the bike has done 17k - it was set on minimun (the guy I bought it off was quite short) - and it felt really wallowing, almost like it was sliding away from me in corners...increased the front too...

Thanks for your help.

Was thinking about July but I gotta phone them first, then request the day off of work. Thinking about the Sunday. If that doesn't work out for me then I'll be booking on the September one which I think is in Exeter.

Hadn't really thought about the travel arrangements for the Dorset ride yet, will figure it all out in August!!!

Sounds like your learning fine, just get out and ride as much as you can (all weather) and stay in your comfort zone. You'll get better without even realising it.

The roads around you are perfect for practising on. Find a route you like and ride it over and over which will help you get used to it and you'll find yourself going faster on it, leaning more and being more in control and this SHOULD transfer onto other roads as you'll know you can do it.

[_Stretchie_]

Hiya mate.. Just have fun on it and the rest will follow.

DOn't worry about the rideouts, there will always be someon willing to help you out and stay with you

Thanks peeps...been really helpful.

Took the SV to work today - only over to Plymouth - about 50 mile round trip in the wet, and found it went really well, especially as I was following bikers both ways, allowed me to corner with more confidence, seeing their lines, braking, lean angle etc - it made me feel much more confident.

Its incredible, even after only a week or 2 of going out every day how much difference practice makes!

Only thing is, Ive scratched my brand new seat cowl with my Sidi's as I was getting off the bike - some of the scratches have come off, but I suppose thats the way it goes. Will have to be more careful!!

Thanks!

Organised rideouts are good so go for it, you won't get left behind, no one does, that's the whole point. We all had to start somewhere and you will learn such a lot from the other riders.

You may well be suprised just how good you are. Also there are those that just aren't interested in blasting off so whatever your ability there is bound to be someone around. Don't ride out of your league just to keep up with others.

Just make sure you prepare e.g. have enough money for fuel and refreshment; checked your bike over e.g. oil level etc.

Have fun, oh and welcome!

By following others on rideouts you can observe other peoples lines, take it easy and don't try to over ride the bike. Some bods are quicker than others but no one gets left behind as they wiill stop and wait before you before going to turn off the road.

[anna]

hello and welcome to the .org