My first ride ever on the main road with traffic

azn370z · March 11th, 2013, 04:11 PM

Saturday was my first ride on the main road with traffic and about 25 intersections. It's about a 12 mile round trip and includes a short ride on the highway.

I got my bike almost 2 months ago and spent 5 days in a parking lot then 7 days on a mile stretch of road that has a few long sharp curves where I can practice turning with speed. This area has a couple 4 way stops and very rarely am I sharing the road with other cars.

So Saturday came and I knew I wanted to get on the main road. But before I did I had to practice one thing, starting the bike on a hill. Because the roads out there aren't flat.

I get on the road and so far so good. The third intersection I'm stopped at is at an incline and good thing I practiced starting on a hill earlier. I get about half way through my ride when I'm at a red light and a man in a van pulls up next to me. He says that my tire looks low with air. I can't see my tires but I'm feeling a little panic. I pull into a parking lot and inspect my tires and they don't look flat but I'm not sure. The rest of the ride wasn't enjoyable knowing that there could be something wrong with my tires. I make it home and later that night check my tire pressure and everything checks out. It felt great to ride on the road and I've already done it 3 times.

Alex · March 11th, 2013, 04:11 PM

Which bike did you get? (your profile still says "none")

CC Cowboy · March 11th, 2013, 04:22 PM

I think I saw him whizz by me on an R1.

Byakkotai · March 11th, 2013, 04:27 PM

The ZX6R 636 if I remember correctly?

azn370z · March 11th, 2013, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byakkotai

The ZX6R 636 if I remember correctly?

Yep this one, the traction control was a big reason why.

mfresh · March 11th, 2013, 07:53 PM

You got a 636 as your first bike?...

Well, ride safe and wear your gear.

sLick415 · March 12th, 2013, 03:38 PM

Heh. Hows this for a scare. As an intern for SFFD, we were dispatched to a ZX6R engulfed in flames yesterday! Rider told me he was stopped at a light and bystanders yelled at him, "Your bikes on fire!" Then he actually made the effort to ride out the rest of the block and dropped it off at the hydrant. Haha smart thinking there but dumb at the same time. Mannn i wish i had taken some pictures but I didnt wanna look unprofessional. Anyway, take care of that thing.

subxero · March 12th, 2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I think I saw him whizz by me on an R1.

lol where is that stupid "like" button when you need it

azn370z · July 4th, 2013, 10:18 PM

So I've been riding for about 5 months and I'm ridden over 5k miles. I've had a few close calls but most not too serious. I mainly ride the back roads with a lot of turns, that's what I like to practice. I thought I would share a few things I've learned.

Cover the rear brakes and only use the rear brakes when in a slow speed situation and turning.

When riding spirited and taking a right turn make sure that there isn't oncoming traffic. However, if taking a left turn there is really no room for error.

When riding in formation, stay in formation even when coming to a stop.

JonR · July 5th, 2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

Cover the rear brakes and only use the rear brakes when in a slow speed situation and turning.

Agreed that you should use it at low speeds and when turning but under normal braking, you need to use it in combination with your front.

JeffM · July 6th, 2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

So I've been riding for about 5 months and I'm ridden over 5k miles. I've had a few close calls but most not too serious. I mainly ride the back roads with a lot of turns, that's what I like to practice. I thought I would share a few things I've learned.

Cover the rear brakes and only use the rear brakes when in a slow speed situation and turning.

When riding spirited and taking a right turn make sure that there isn't oncoming traffic. However, if taking a left turn there is really no room for error.

When riding in formation, stay in formation even when coming to a stop.

Sounds like you are having a good time.

A few comments:

Be careful out there, you say most of your close calls were not serious, which ones were serious? There is an old saying that applies to motorcycle riding: "The trick is to fill your bag of experience before you empty your bag of luck."

One of the most dangerous times for new riders is not when they are new, when they have a year or so of experience and some of that new rider fear goes away.

You are correct about left turns, they are the probably the most dangerous part of street riding. What happened with the right turn? Did you not stop making the right turn and were surprised by a driver? What is spirited riding?

Be careful about riding in groups (even groups of two). Leave yourself an out all the time. See this post: Riding staggered

Have fun, ride safe.

Jeff

azn370z · July 6th, 2013, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffM

Be careful out there, you say most of your close calls were not serious, which ones were serious?

You are correct about left turns, they are the probably the most dangerous part of street riding. What happened with the right turn? Did you not stop making the right turn and were surprised by a driver? What is spirited riding?

Jeff

I was taking an almost 90 degree right turn and didn't see the car coming from the opposite direction, because I was planning to go straight but turned at the last minute. The road had no shoulder and I went wide but went back into my lane and didn't get hit. The car had a stop sign it had to stop for but I didn't have to stop. The driver wasn't happy about my riding.

There's a back road I ride that has another right turn that is almost a 90 degree turn with a suggest speed of 15 mph. If there's oncoming traffic I don't push it but if no cars are coming I see how fast I can go without leaving my lane. So for me spirited riding on that turn would be 30 plus mph.

The roads I ride doesn't have much traffic so I do tell myself that there could be traffic coming around the corner. I have been startled a few times in corners when a vehicle comes into view in a turn.

JeffM · July 7th, 2013, 09:52 AM

Please slow down.

Link to original page on YouTube.

azn370z · September 12th, 2013, 12:21 AM

10k miles later I though it was time for my first track day.

subxero · September 12th, 2013, 05:04 AM

10k miles in 6.5 months. Not bad, I wish I had that kind of time to ride

Looks like you had fun at the track, i'm jelly

csmith12 · September 12th, 2013, 06:06 AM

NevadaWolf · September 12th, 2013, 06:18 AM

Very nice!

JohnnyBravo · September 12th, 2013, 07:18 AM

Congrats on track fun... Dianese=nice!

choneofakind · September 12th, 2013, 10:42 AM

...damn. 10k in 6 months?? I'm on track to put more miles on my pedal bike than on my motorbike. Jealous big time over here. Roads in NE Ohio suck, roads in SW are only alright.

Track days are a hoot! I hope you had a good time!

March 11th, 2013, 04:11 PM	#1
azn370z ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: seattle Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja Posts: 53	My first ride ever on the main road with traffic Saturday was my first ride on the main road with traffic and about 25 intersections. It's about a 12 mile round trip and includes a short ride on the highway. I got my bike almost 2 months ago and spent 5 days in a parking lot then 7 days on a mile stretch of road that has a few long sharp curves where I can practice turning with speed. This area has a couple 4 way stops and very rarely am I sharing the road with other cars. So Saturday came and I knew I wanted to get on the main road. But before I did I had to practice one thing, starting the bike on a hill. Because the roads out there aren't flat. I get on the road and so far so good. The third intersection I'm stopped at is at an incline and good thing I practiced starting on a hill earlier. I get about half way through my ride when I'm at a red light and a man in a van pulls up next to me. He says that my tire looks low with air. I can't see my tires but I'm feeling a little panic. I pull into a parking lot and inspect my tires and they don't look flat but I'm not sure. The rest of the ride wasn't enjoyable knowing that there could be something wrong with my tires. I make it home and later that night check my tire pressure and everything checks out. It felt great to ride on the road and I've already done it 3 times.

March 11th, 2013, 04:11 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Which bike did you get? (your profile still says "none") __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

March 11th, 2013, 04:22 PM	#3
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I think I saw him whizz by me on an R1. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

March 11th, 2013, 07:53 PM	#6
mfresh Knee-dragger in Training Name: Manny Location: Buford, GA Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R (Sunbeam Red) Posts: 319	You got a 636 as your first bike?... Well, ride safe and wear your gear. __________________________________________________ North GA Riders

July 7th, 2013, 09:52 AM	#13
JeffM Mr. 988 Name: Jeff Location: Sandy, Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Please slow down. Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ "I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer

March 11th, 2013, 04:27 PM	#4
Byakkotai ninjette.org guru Name: Roger Location: NorCali - East Bay Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 White Ninja 300 Posts: 379	The ZX6R 636 if I remember correctly?

March 12th, 2013, 03:38 PM	#7
sLick415 ninjette.org guru Name: Danny Location: San Francisco, CA Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 263	Heh. Hows this for a scare. As an intern for SFFD, we were dispatched to a ZX6R engulfed in flames yesterday! Rider told me he was stopped at a light and bystanders yelled at him, "Your bikes on fire!" Then he actually made the effort to ride out the rest of the block and dropped it off at the hydrant. Haha smart thinking there but dumb at the same time. Mannn i wish i had taken some pictures but I didnt wanna look unprofessional. Anyway, take care of that thing.

July 4th, 2013, 10:18 PM	#9
azn370z ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: seattle Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja Posts: 53	So I've been riding for about 5 months and I'm ridden over 5k miles. I've had a few close calls but most not too serious. I mainly ride the back roads with a lot of turns, that's what I like to practice. I thought I would share a few things I've learned. Cover the rear brakes and only use the rear brakes when in a slow speed situation and turning. When riding spirited and taking a right turn make sure that there isn't oncoming traffic. However, if taking a left turn there is really no room for error. When riding in formation, stay in formation even when coming to a stop.

September 12th, 2013, 12:21 AM	#14
azn370z ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: seattle Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja Posts: 53	10k miles later I though it was time for my first track day.

September 12th, 2013, 05:04 AM	#15
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	10k miles in 6.5 months. Not bad, I wish I had that kind of time to ride Looks like you had fun at the track, i'm jelly __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

September 12th, 2013, 06:06 AM	#16
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	__________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

September 12th, 2013, 06:18 AM	#17
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Very nice! __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

September 12th, 2013, 07:18 AM	#18
JohnnyBravo Certifiable nontundrum Name: Harper Location: NC Milkshake stand Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16	Congrats on track fun... Dianese=nice! __________________________________________________

September 12th, 2013, 10:42 AM	#19
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	...damn. 10k in 6 months?? I'm on track to put more miles on my pedal bike than on my motorbike. Jealous big time over here. Roads in NE Ohio suck, roads in SW are only alright. Track days are a hoot! I hope you had a good time!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[visordown.com] - Road traffic accidents cost economy 15bn a year	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	September 26th, 2014 09:10 AM
[visordown.com] - Changes to the road traffic act could see road racing return to mai	Ninjette Newsbot	General Motorcycling Discussion	4	March 11th, 2014 04:10 AM
[motorcyclistonline] - New 2012 Sidi Traffic Air and Traffic Rain Boots \| Motorcyclis	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	November 1st, 2011 09:40 PM
[kropotkin thinks...] - Ratthapark Wilairot Seriously Injured In Road Traffic Acciden	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	December 6th, 2010 08:50 AM
[visordown.com] - Driver, 78, charged with causing double road traffic deaths	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	May 18th, 2010 10:00 AM