a quick note, when you pull away on a bike, cars should never be up your chuff.

the sv is quick enough, so use its power.

Youre in exactly the same position I was. I passed my test about a year and a half ago and then didnt ride much for the next year. Whe nI came to ride I was struggling. I found the best thing was to find some quiet roads and practice everything slowly. Then one I got everything sorted I began to speed everything up. I find I do things now without even thinking about them. One day it just all clicked, it's true, Practice DOES make Perfect (or as close as you can get!!!)

I went ridding yesterday around my neighborhood which is fairly quite, hilly and lots of stop-and-go action (a whole lot better than a parking lot). I had a much better ride than in the past thanks to you lot. I simply gave the bike more gas and used engine breaking to slow the bike down. I was also a lot less mechanical and just did what needed to be done (minus turn signaling, I can't seem to always remember that).

Couple of more question, I've noticed that some riders tend to have the bike in neutral when they are at stand still and some have the bike in first gear at all times and hold the clutch in. Which is a better approach or is it entirely personal preference? Are there any pro and con to each approach? Also, when I'm shifting down to first gear the bike sometimes makes a clicking noise (chain I suspect). What I'm I doing wrong? I'm I going too fast to be shifting into first gear or I'm I not holding the clutch in all the way?

If I dont think I'm going to be stopped for long I'll leave it in first with the clutch in. If I'm going to be stopped for a while then I'll pop it into neutral.

I dont tend to engage first gear until I'm stopped I found before with the SV that engine braking is fierce and I used to lock the back wheel up if I was still moving and I let the clutch out in first.