For my BDAY (10/23) I bought a bike...parents don't kno

[Laaaren03]

ALright well the way all of you have described counter-steering, I believe I have been doing it but just didn't have a name for it. I got my permit...yay me! I've also been riding on the 101 so I can keep it at slow speeds. I am not planning on telling my parents until I have taken the MSF course so that I can show I am taking all safety precautions. I believe I am going to even give them some of the lower statistics so I can show the pros of being on a bike. So next step is gear. So far I have a great jacket and helmet. What would you all say is the next piece of importance for me to purchase. SOunds like it is all important but I wont be getting a paycheck for 3 weeks and haven't had one for 3 months because I was in between jobs... You guys have all given me a great amount of advice. I greatly appreciate it. Thank you.... Ps its my bday tomorrow!!!

[Bubba68CS]

Gloves are pretty cheap if you don't go fancy and get a bunch of armor on them. My favorites are a pair of perforated leather short gloves (no gauntlet). They won't do much in a bad crash, but in a low speed slide, they'll keep my hands from getting cut up.

For boots, you can get a set of work boots that will at least stay on your feet and cover your ankles. When starting out, I'm all in favor of getting SOMETHING rather than (for example) getting a $600 helmet and leaving nothing else covered. Once you've got SOMETHING, you can start building up in quality until you get to a level of protection you're comfortable with.

I rode for about a year before buying actual motorcycle boots (used Carhartt work boots)...and I'm just now starting to look into better protection from my gloves (armor and such). I have overpants...but they are not for warm weather...way too hot. So next summer, I'll need to buy a set of warm weather pants. You get the idea...get something on yourself...then worry about building up to the ideal level of protection.

[V2K_CCTX]

+1 on bubba's boot rec's but MAKE SURE non-slip soles

[sebastian1000]

Gloves...if you have a fall it is instinct to try and catch yourself...so your hand protection is a must. My .02

[millman]

The msf course here in San Diego is very good. I took it 2 1/2 years ago after being away from riding for over 30 years. The cool thing is that my daughter who was 33 at the time took the course with me. At that point the only thing she had ridden was a bicycle. We both passed with no problem. It is also good for meeting new people to ride with.

[jbsmd]

Telling your parents after the fact is only going to make them worry and you'll probably have to sit in on the lecture. No matter what you do, you'll never be safe enough for them. Being as safe as you can for yourself is all you can do.Getting a job will help you keep it. Your insurance should be fairly high. Nothing like getting a new bike, dumping it and all you can do is stare at a pile of junk and keep paying for it. OH yeah, Happy birthday Take lots of pictures of it while it's new and don't party and ride. Learn where everything is on your bike without having to look for it.

[soc_monki]

Originally Posted by V2K_CCTX

when a bike is at speed (usually above parking lot speed 5mph+, where your not steering like a bicycle)

a bicycle turns the exact same way a motorcycle does because they are both 2 wheeled vehicles. its just the physics of how they work.

[Bubba68CS]

Originally Posted by jbsmd

Telling your parents after the fact is only going to make them worry and you'll probably have to sit in on the lecture. No matter what you do, you'll never be safe enough for them. Being as safe as you can for yourself is all you can do.Getting a job will help you keep it. By the way what bike did you get? Your insurance should be fairly high. Nothing like getting a new bike, dumping it and all you can do is stare at a pile of junk and keep paying for it. OH yeah, Happy birthday Take lots of pictures of it while it's new and don't party and ride. Learn where everything is on your bike without having to look for it.

Its in her sig:

2003 Kawa 250

[V2K_CCTX]

Originally Posted by soc_monki

a bicycle turns the exact same way a motorcycle does because they are both 2 wheeled vehicles. its just the physics of how they work.

your every day bicycle is usually steered not counter steered especially when your not leaning, go home and try counter steering on your schwin...

egads....yes, at 30mph lance armstrong racing thru the mountain valley in the tour de france is using some counter steering, the average joe riding around the block IS NOT

[jbsmd]

Originally Posted by Bubba68CS

Its in her sig:

2003 Kawa 250

not the sharpest tool in the shed!!

[txspike]

Originally Posted by Laaaren03

Oh and another thing...I haven't told my parents cause I know they aren't fans. Mom's a nurse. She always refers to bikes as job security. And Dad lost his bro on one...How do I break it to them?

Just show up to your parent's house on the bike. That's what I did.

[sebastian1000]

Originally Posted by txspike

Just show up to your parent's house on the bike. That's what I did.

Yup...they love that!

[Villaven]

I am 36 years old and my mother still doesn't know I have a bike. The way I see it is that it's really none of her business. Not that we aren't close, we are, but I choose not to tell her because I know she will disapprove. Do you think our parents tell us everything? Nope.

[soc_monki]

Originally Posted by V2K_CCTX

your every day bicycle is usually steered not counter steered especially when your not leaning, go home and try counter steering on your schwin...

egads....yes, at 30mph lance armstrong racing thru the mountain valley in the tour de france is using some counter steering, the average joe riding around the block IS NOT

ummm hate to say it but yes, they are countersteered. at low speeds they arent (just like a motorcycle, yes?) but once you get up around 10 mph you countersteer. i dont ride my bikes now, but i still have my old redline BMXer from the 80s and my mountain bike and i can tell you that when i rode them i did countersteer them. all the time? no. above certain speeds? yes. they are a 2 wheeled vehicle and conform to the same physics as other 2 wheeled vehicles. you cant cheat the laws of physics, even on a bicycle!

it honestly doesnt take that much speed to get into countersteering territory. if you can ride a bike at the same speed, or faster, than a person can run then youre countersteering to turn the bike.

[headbanger783]

hahah didn't tell the parents? mine weren't too pleased when i started riding. take a safety course they really are worth it. get some good gear and remember look out for everyone on the road because they aren't looking out for you

[#34 KX 250]

i grew up racing dirt bikes so they were happy to not see me flying 40 feet off the ground for a change

[Ituen]

Welcome to the forums. Take and pass the MSF beginner's course before you do anything. You're 24, you're not a child. Be a woman and tell your parents you bought a bike.

[brown recluse]

Been riding 9 years. Mom still doesn't know.

[bretsk2500]

Originally Posted by V2K_CCTX

your every day bicycle is usually steered not counter steered especially when your not leaning, go home and try counter steering on your schwin...

egads....yes, at 30mph lance armstrong racing thru the mountain valley in the tour de france is using some counter steering, the average joe riding around the block IS NOT

my 6 year old daughter counter steers her little 18" bike all the time... the kid is a leaning machine... she's got road rash scars from when she was leaned over so far that her pedal (which was down) jacked her back tire out of contact with the pavement.

[Laaaren03]

So I haven't told my parents yet. But todays the big day. I'm going over for meatloaf to break the news... I'll let you know how it goes. Anyone know of a good places to get resonable bike gear