Discouraged New Rider

[lshimatsu]

Hi There,

I've taken the Abate safety course and have just gotten a bike and started "practicing" riding around the parking lot.

I've dropped my bike twice already--both times when coming to a stop. So, in addition to needing some serious encouragement, I wanted to get your feedback on...

1. Has anyone else had this problem?
2. What else can I expect as I continue getting use to riding?
3. Does riding ever become "second nature?"

[Anonymous]

Hi lshimatsu & welcome to the club!

Good for you for taking the course. What kind of bike did you get?

I'm not sure why you're dropping the bike coming to a stop, but a few things come to mind:
- is the bike too tall for you (can you place both feet firmly on the ground while seated)?
- as you come to your stop, make sure you lean the bike to one side and get that foot out to hold the bike up (that last part is kind of obvious :roll: :lol: )
- if you turn the wheel too sharply, and there is sand or small gravel as you are stopping. the front tire will lock and slide out from under you - when stopping, make sure you do so in a straight line - the first time I ever dropped a bike was in this scenario.

To answer your questions:
1) I don't have this problem anymore (but it happened to me once, and I came really close another time)

2) As you get used to the bike, things will get easier. It's been a few years (7 or 8 ) since I started riding, so I don't really remember the learning curve. There are a lot of people that have just recently started riding that I'm sure will be better able to answer this

3) I don't know if I'd refer to it as second nature, (because at that point, I think you stop looking for potential hazards), but it does become much easier and actually enjoyable. :)

Don't give up. I don't have any spare time myself, but I'm sure you might be able to find some people on the board who would be willing to help you. :up:

Edit: I just realized that this is in the Girls Only forum - it was late last night when I was reading this, and I was tired. I hope you don't mind me replying. :)

[shacheri]

Hello and welcome!

just wanted to let you know that what you are going through, while frustratiing and a bit discouraging, it is to be expected as part of the learning.

i took the MSF course 2 years ago, and afterwards, practicing at home, in the parking lots, dropped the bike several times....!!!

it's all part of learning the skills...I did have a top-heavy bike that was very hard for me to keep up, and it had a nasty habit of stalling at stop signs just as I was entering into a turn out of the intersection...

for a while I felt that I was in way over my head and that I just wasn't destined to be a rider....but I kept at it and kept at it.

we eventually found a different bike for me that I have had lot's of fun on. I have dropped it 3 times though....once in thick gravel, once trying to make a U-turn in a small area and once backing out of my garage.

every time I was so angry with myself and upset with the scratches on the bike, but I was never hurt more than a couple of bruises...

I am learning how to be easy on the throttle and the brakes....if you grab them too fast, you upset the bike and that's when it can get away from you.

my husband has been ridiing since he was 9 or 10, but he has many stories of dropping his bike and of some nasty crashes he has survived...

it really boils down to how badly do you want to do it? it's NOT an easy thing to learn and the more I learn the more I realize how much there is to keep learning and improving my skills

we are headed to Italy tomorrow...we are renting Ducatis to ride for 3 days over there....am I nervous about this? YOU BET I AM!!! Different roads, different drivers, different cities, and a different bike! LOT'S OF REASONS that something could go wrong - but I am already reminding myself of the basic skills that I need to use to keep upright and having fun.


hope this helps!

;)

[SV650girl]

Hi lshimatsu,

I too am a fairly new rider (about 2,000 miles) and dropped my bike about a week ago parking in a gravel parking lot. :o I am certainly not in a position to give advice, as I am still a novice. I can tell you that I have dropped my bike 3 times. Twice because I was looking at the ground to make sure I was parking properly and the other was while executing a very tight right hand turn and being forced to stop abruptly. I say forced because I did not think ahead and have an alternate out (learned it in MSF class but did not apply it on this occasion) fortunately it only cost me a windscreen and some embarrassment. Learned a valuable lesson in this…if you are riding with someone you don't know do NOT try to anticipate their riding style.

YOU’RE NOT ALONE! I’ve talked to a lot of experienced riders and they have dropped their bike on more than one occasion as well. I am very fortunate that my husband has been extremely supportive and a great mentor. He points out how I can improve and it has helped me to progress fairly quickly. I am already doing challenging runs such as Coal Creek Canyon thanks to his moral and technical support. :D

If you can get someone to help you with confidence and critique you as you go to help develop good core skills you will progress much quicker and learn good habits from the start! I cannot assist with coaching, but when you are ready to go on the road I would be happy to ride along with you. I don't mind going slow and making frequent "mental break" stops. ;)

There is a really terrific group called Women on Wheels (Colorado Gold Chapter) located right in Greater Denver Area. The group is very supportive and there are many new riders. Meetings are monthly and there is no fee to attend. I go every month and really enjoy the conversations, rides and support from other women. Website is: http://www.coloradogoldonline.com/

Ride safe and wear protective gear!

[Tania]

I completed my course in July, but I"ve only started riding on the streets a couple of weeks ago. This is a great time to be on the boards because so many of us are just starting out. By being able to relate to another, you'll be able to find peace of mind and motivation. Knowing that someone has had the same type of questions, or experiences, gets rid of some self-doubt you might have. I dropped the bike during the figure 8 exercise. I probably could have saved it, but my mind gave up first. My mind/fears seem to be the biggest obstacle right now. I had a fear of turning right, that's gone. I felt uneasy coming up to a stop sign for various reasons, but that fear is going away too because I found out what technical error was causing me to stall. Just today I asked myself," What the hell is going to happen today that will bum me out?!" Guess what, I had fun today, even managed to get on to a street that I feared yesterday. Even though I wasn't perfect (God forbid!) I felt as if though there was a breakthrough. I attribute the motivation I have to joining the boards, and meeting people who helped me realize that everything I'm encountering now is normal. Confidence comes with practice.

[lshimatsu]

Thanks for all of the feedback!

First thing is--I'm getting my seat shaved down. I am not able to sit on the bike with my feet flat on ground and it seems like that would help immensely. From what I've read there are 3 inches of foam in the SV650's so I figure I can get rid of a lot of it.

Second, I'm going to keep reading about newbies...makes me feel so much better knowing I'm not the only one having difficulty. In fact, here is a post I found on svriders.com...

i guess it had to happen ... i was taking it out of the parking spot in my apartment complex ... had to turn right ... i guess the engine wasnt warm enough and i stalled the bike in the turn and dropped it on its right side .. rookie mistake ... followed by the dumbass of the day mistake ... i push the bike up without the side stand down and tip it over on its left side ...
damages:
a very very bruised ego
no physical damage since i was basically standing when the bike fell ...
to the bike- 2003 sv650s:
1) the ball thingy at the end of the front brake lever broken
2) the bar end screw on the left side bent
3) toe of gear shift lever broken
4) very minor scratches on the exhaust can
5) even more minor scratches on left clip on bar - end

i've got the replacement gear shift lever and was wondering how difficult it is to change it .. how about the front brake lever and the bent screw?

[Beotch]

Keep on trying, you will get it. Most people I have known who have dropped their bikes it has been because they could not firmly plant both legs on the ground. The bikes are heavy, some top heavy, and if you are more to one side than another, it will increase the chance of loosing your footing. Best thing to do is probably look into a lowering kit for the bike-that will lower things over all while still keeping the comforts (such as seat padding). One thing NOT to do is wear heels or something like that to give you the extra height-if you do start to go over in heels, it will hurt your ankle.
Ideally, you should be able to plant your feet and even have your knees bent slightly for stability...if you have to panic stop and can't touch well, things could get intersting. As you get better with the feel of the bike, you will be able to better anticipate what it will do and compensate yourself accordingly.
Unfortunately, for most women to be able to have firm footing it means that they will have to stay with a smaller bike.

[surfinspacegirl]

lshimatsu

Don't worry about dropping the bike, we all do it. Those who say they don't are lying :lol:

Some of us even do it after we've been riding a while. 6 weeks ago I dropped my SV in the garage and gouged my leg wide open on the pitbull trying to hold her up :roll: 4 weeks ago I dropped her doing 50mph-ish around turn 3 the Pueblo ractetrack :roll: :roll: 3 weeks ago I dropped her in the bed of the truck while unloading coming back from the races. :roll: :roll: :roll: Previsouly I'd only dropped her once, on the way to Las Vegas, almost 2 years ago.

And I'm 5'10", so it's not a size thing!

Both times my sliders saved the plastic and levers. Buy some. They are invaluable. Get Axljack frame sliders and also bar end and swingarm sliders.

As for riding - it does get easier, with practice. So pratice, practice, pratice. And have fun. And welcome :)

[lshimatsu]

surfinspacegirl--

What are Both sliders, Axljack frame sliders, bar end and swingarm sliders?

I broke off the tips of the break lever and my shift pedal this time. Any tips on the shift pedal? It broke off so easily that I figure it'll keep happending. Are there stronger pedals? Is it something I could replace myself? RPM estimates about $66 for part and 1/2 for service.

[surfinspacegirl]

surfinspacegirl--

What are Both sliders, Axljack frame sliders, bar end and swingarm sliders?

I broke off the tips of the break lever and my shift pedal this time. Any tips on the shift pedal? It broke off so easily that I figure it'll keep happending. Are there stronger pedals? Is it something I could replace myself? RPM estimates about $66 for part and 1/2 for service.
Axljack is a make of frame slider that clamps onto the SV650 frame. They are big, sturdy and have saved my bike more than once. Call Jack on (978) 422-8790 and order a pair. Tell him Hanna with the English accent and the SV650S sent you.

Bar end sliders screw into the ends of the handlebars, replacing the metal bar ends that are there. Since they are plastic and will grind if the bike falls, they will save your handlebars from getting bent, plus they may save your levers as the bars won't bounce as hard.

Swingarm sliders screw into the spool holders on the underside of the swingarm near the rear axle bolt. Same thing; they will hit the ground first and grind down, saving your swingarm from taking the hit.

Intuitive makes really good bar end and swingarm sliders. http://www.inturace.com/

The combination of the three together means that when your bike falls over, they hit the ground and keep the rest of the bike off the ground, saving your bodywork and the engine. That's the theory, anyway, in practice a lot depends on how the bike falls, what it falls into etc etc. But having the sliders on the bike at least gives you a fighting chance of minimizing the damage.

Both, meant both ;) :D

Brake and shift pedals, unfortunately, tend to get bent/broken with monotonous regularity when you tip over the SV. There are a couple of solutions:

a) if it's bent, but not broken, take it to a good mechanic shop (not a dealer - look for a shop that works on race bikes. If you're in Denver, go to TK Motorsports 720 904 9040. In Golden go to T-Fog Wheelsports, 303-216-2400), have them heat it up and straighten it. Don't do it cold, it will break.
b) If you've broken off just the end piece, take it to a good mechanics shop have them drill a hole through the main stalk of the shifter where the pedal piece was attached, then put a bolt through the end. Your toes would use the bolt to move the pedal up and down. Not as pretty but perfectly functional.
c) Get a Woodcraft pedal. Woodcraft makes racing rearsets, but you can buy just the shift pedal, it will work with your stock rearsets. The good thing with Woodcraft is that they come in pieces and you can order just the broken bits, you don't have to order the whole thing every time. Way cheaper than the $66 plus labour you're being quoted. http://www.woodcraft-cfm.com/

Most important thing: buy the SV650 shop manual. Well worth the investment. In no time you will learn how to do the routine maintenance yourself, and will save yourself $$$ and stress. Plus if something breaks, the manual is invaluable in figuring out how to get it back together again.

Hope this helps

[surfinspacegirl]

Edit: I just realized that this is in the Girls Only forum - it was late last night when I was reading this, and I was tired. I hope you don't mind me replying. :)

Shoo, shooo :P :D :lol:

[surfinspacegirl]

lshimatsu, another thing has just occurred to me. When you stop, are you grabbing the front brake pretty hard and finding the bike is jerking and the front end dives a little, thus making you lose your balance?

If yes, then let up a little on the front brake just as the bike comes to a stop. It'll prevent that hard dive, which'll make it easier for you to keep your balance.

One thing to remember: SMOOTH is key to everything you do on a bike. No sudden jerky movements, or inputs. Apply pressure gradually to the brake lever, or anything else on the bike.

:D