New Rider and New Owner in Maryland

[Minikin_Jo]

Hi there, my name is Jo and I got my riding license back in 2009 but just received my bike as an early birthday present late April 2012. I pretty much only ride on the weekends for a couple of hours so I'm still getting used to it. I've put a little over 200 miles on her so far.

I'm 5'1 and had the bike lowered 2" so I can feel comfortable on it.

I have a 2012 and she is a pretty emerald green.

[xMoises831]

welcome !

[Minikin_Jo]

Thank you. I'll post pics in a little bit

[xMoises831]

k can't wait (;

[Minikin_Jo]

Trying to keep within the rules, I posted a couple pics in the Pictures forum. LOL I also added a few to my profile album. Still new at this forum thing...hope I'm doing it right.

[tony7kp]

Welcome! Nice to have a fellow ninjette so close. Also a newbie with ~200 miles. Hope to see you on the rode sometimes. I'll keep a lookout. =)

[Minikin_Jo]

I'll have to keep a lookout for you, too I did see a 250 leaving HCC on Hickory Ridge Rd. Friday between storms...by chance was you?

[tony7kp]

hmm. I was on hickory ridge on Fri (actually live very close to there so its usually part of my daily commute) but wasn't leaving HCC. I've seen a few 250 nearby though. what color did you see? mine is the 2010 black/red.
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[Trash Can Man]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Minikin_Jo]

Originally Posted by tony7kp

hmm. I was on hickory ridge on Fri (actually live very close to there so its usually part of my daily commute) but wasn't leaving HCC. I've seen a few 250 nearby though. what color did you see? mine is the 2010 black/red.
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I think it was white with some green and some blue in it...Wow, I had no idea so many other 250 riders around my area. I thought I was the only one. LOL

[Minikin_Jo]

Originally Posted by Trash Can Man

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Thanks.

[Stingray1000]

Welcome! And ur doing great on the forum for a first timer!

[Minikin_Jo]

Originally Posted by Stingray1000

Welcome! And ur doing great on the forum for a first timer!

Um, thanks...

[Minikin_Jo]

Hey - for those of you subscribed to this thread, I've spent a lot of time digging and reading the threads looking for a topic that I'm interested in, I'm sure it's posted somewhere as I'm sure I'm not the only one but having a hard time finding it (and search results is hard to narrow down - too many topics.)

If anyone can point me in the direction or find a link to a topic discussing taking slow, sharp turns, I would appreciate it! I saw one for u-turns but didn't think my situation fits?? The first 2 pages of what I read was how people have NO problem doing u-turns and what they can and cannot do, not so much info to help. Yes, I took the MSF and passed but the double u-turn was my worst thing and the points I lost was in that part of the test. Plus my bike is different than the one I tested on.

I have so much anxiety when I'm in a closed or small environment, like a parking lot, for example. I have good clutch/balance/break control when I'm moving slow, but when it comes to having to pull into a parking spot (involving a sharp left or right turn, or sharp slow turns to go around parking aisles, for example) I get so nervous I practically want to put my bike in neutral and walk it. LOL I want to just be able to zip in, turn and park like anyone else. Is this something that will get better in time? I feel like I want to do the corner very slow, but then I know if I give it more gas I am less likely to fall...should I be sliding my body over to the other side for counter balancing??

Also, what do you do for riding on a slope? For example, was going through a parking lot, at night, and all of a sudden, I felt the bike pulling me hard to the right. I thought for sure I was going to lose it. The pull felt stronger than I was capable of handling (like trying to keep the bike straight) and it totally took me by surprise. Thankfully I instinctively gave it more gas. My husband said I was on a slope, the ground was going down towards my right, and that's what happened. What do you do in this situation? He's great at giving me tips and advice but sometimes for him he's been riding so long he doesn't even think about what he does, he just does it. He said giving it gas was the right idea -- I'm only lucky a car wasn't coming because this was approaching an intersection in the parking lot and I don't think I could have stopped and controlled the bike at the same time.

Finally, I have a hard time on steep hills at a stop. Even though I keep my back break on and let the throttle pull me through it takes me several tries (if I don't stall) to get the bike going. It's almost as if the bike just doesn't have enough power to pull itself up! My husband has taken my bike out and even he had the same problem. Well, not nearly as bad as me, but he did see how I was having a hard time with it and understood why I did.

[Old Lemon]

With the slow turns, use your rear brake. The sharper the turn the more brake you can use, this will help keep you more stable.

For the slope gas is the best idea, you may also want to lean the bike in the other direction of the slope.

For steep hills yes use the reasr brake and what I do I start using the throttle before I even begin to let the clutch out. When I do let it out I can still be on the brake and the bike will start moving.

I saw in one of your other posts that you said you only ride on the weekends. Well I'm going out of town for 3 weeks starting this Sunday so if you wanna ride let me know.

[Minikin_Jo]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

For steep hills yes use the reasr brake and what I do I start using the throttle before I even begin to let the clutch out. When I do let it out I can still be on the brake and the bike will start moving.

I saw in one of your other posts that you said you only ride on the weekends. Well I'm going out of town for 3 weeks starting this Sunday so if you wanna ride let me know.

How much of the throttle do you pull back on it?? I feel like I pull it back alot and sometimes I'm pulling the throttle and releasing the clutch, and I'm STILL rolling back. Your advice is exactly what my husband told me to do but it doesn't always work for me. LOL Maybe I just need more practice.

If the weather permits I might do some riding around in the evenings this week. I like going around 7pm-ish because the roads are less congested.

[tony7kp]

dont know if you saw these yet:

slow cornering:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=98544

hill start:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82733

[Minikin_Jo]

No I did not, thank you!!

[Old Lemon]

I get the rpms around 5000 and the the clutch out relatively slow.

And if u do go fcor a ride just send me a pm a little in advance

[Minikin_Jo]

Originally Posted by tony7kp

dont know if you saw these yet:

slow cornering:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=98544

hill start:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82733

Thanks for posting these - I did read the slow cornering link (realized after I just opened it.) That's helpful on turns at intersections, something I finally mastered ...yes, finally, but not on the slow little parking lot type scenarios I was looking for

The hill start was helpful. I guess I'm just not one to really want to yank the throttle and rev really high. LOL

[tony7kp]

Let me know if/when you guys ride. Would love to ride with some people.

[Minikin_Jo]

Originally Posted by tony7kp

Let me know if/when you guys ride. Would love to ride with some people.

Sure no problem!

[tony7kp]

I have trouble with slow turning. I failed the box test during the MSF. Couldn't stay in the box to save my life. Luckily that's the only thing I couldn't do. I just tend to avoid any situations where I need to make tight slow turns. I know I can't do it forever and should practice, but my solution for now is to just plan ahead and avoid situations where I need to turn slowly. If I'm forced in the situation, I can always just put my foot down if needed.

[Stingray1000]

All of these skills are more learned by riding than anyone can really teach you over a forum..... just always remember no matter what you do or try never ride beyond your skill level if you feel nervous or uncomfortable your probably doing something that is beyond your skill level... when i first started riding i finally watched the movie "Torque" and i never thought i'd be able to handle the turons like they do in the beginning of the movie and everytime i tried i got nervous so i stopped.... now by all means i cant whip thru turns at 80 mph but i can shift my body to handle them and its almost 2nd nature and nobody taught me after riding for a while it just came naturally.... and it will to you too you just have to give it time.... now i know this isnt the same situation as what ur talking about. Just giving an example is all.... you said you got your lic back in 09... ever thought a out taking an msf refresher course?

[250rr]

Welcome, my friend.

[SharInATL]

Originally Posted by tony7kp

I have trouble with slow turning. I failed the box test during the MSF. Couldn't stay in the box to save my life. Luckily that's the only thing I couldn't do. I just tend to avoid any situations where I need to make tight slow turns. I know I can't do it forever and should practice, but my solution for now is to just plan ahead and avoid situations where I need to turn slowly. If I'm forced in the situation, I can always just put my foot down if needed.

Ditto here and those were my exact same words too lol. "I can't do this box u-turn to save my life". What the instructor said to me was, out of the 4 tests, which one is least likely to save your life? That put it all into perspective for me.

[Minikin_Jo]

The u-turn box thing was the only thing that I knew I couldn't handle too great during my test and I that was the only part I lost any points in (oh, wait, i did lose 1 point for the big curve part of the test...I was .11 seconds too slow!)

I also have videos of my testing. While I was practicing the u-turn over and over again before the test, you can hear my son in the video say: "I can hear mommy cussing through her helmet!!!" LMAO!!!

I guess I basically just have to keep at it and keep riding until it all becomes second nature, like you said. As for the refresher course, yes, I have thought about taking it and I can, since I work at HCC I have that benefit, but I just haven't done it yet.

[SuViR]

Welcome and practice you'll do well.

[drac]

She lost me when she said "Husband"..................

Welcome... Some really good roads out that way. Used to go bow fishing for carp out at Tridelphia(sp?) lake when I was a kid.

Take it slow and you'll be fine. Enjoy your new ride...

[KJohnson21]

[Stingray1000]

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

The u-turn box thing was the only thing that I knew I couldn't handle too great during my test and I that was the only part I lost any points in (oh, wait, i did lose 1 point for the big curve part of the test...I was .11 seconds too slow!)

I also have videos of my testing. While I was practicing the u-turn over and over again before the test, you can hear my son in the video say: "I can hear mommy cussing through her helmet!!!" LMAO!!!

I guess I basically just have to keep at it and keep riding until it all becomes second nature, like you said. As for the refresher course, yes, I have thought about taking it and I can, since I work at HCC I have that benefit, but I just haven't done it yet.

Sounds like a plan! Just be safe!

[Minikin_Jo]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

I get the rpms around 5000 and the the clutch out relatively slow.

And if u do go fcor a ride just send me a pm a little in advance

Woops, I just noticed your post -- I'll def let you local guys know in advance...though I can't promise how much time in advance during the week. Sometimes in the evenings I like to ride at the last minute for a little while. LOL

[Snake]

Hello and welcome.

[Minikin_Jo]

Thank you!


Jumping back to the slow turns topic, I went to the community college yesterday to join the extra practice class. I was the only one on my own bike, everyone else rode the school's bikes. I'll post pics later. But anyhow I could not, for the life of me, do the figure 8 on my bike! I've never even turned my handle bars all the way to the left or right before and doing it slowly in first gear was not easy. It was good practice though. I'll keep at it.

[Minikin_Jo]

Soooo....we got a GoPro Hero2 and have played around with it just a little. Been a little too busy the past few weeks to do any riding...but I did create a youtube channel... xxJunebugJo is my name...

[Stingray1000]

Subed Junebug :P

[Minikin_Jo]

I cannot find it - or maybe I'm too angry that I'm not focusing and am overlooking it, but where in the HELL do I go to deactivate and delete my ninjette.org account???

[Old Lemon]

Why would you want to do that?

[Stingray1000]

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

I cannot find it - or maybe I'm too angry that I'm not focusing and am overlooking it, but where in the HELL do I go to deactivate and delete my ninjette.org account???

What's wrong???