Seriously Stupid Newbie Question!

CheriAnn · 03-12-2007

Okay, some of you read my post on Saturday about getting out on my bike and riding. I am getting better slowly with each ride. However, I am having a serious nervous breakdown on turns.

When Chaz rode with me, he told me I slow down way too much. When we came to an intersection of stops signs (on our road, not main highway!), I slowed way down to make a right turn. (Better add here that my side didn't have the stop signs...I don't want you to think I just slowed down and ran a stop sign!!!) Fortunately, there wasn't a car waiting in the other lane, because I found myself swinging wide for the turn. I think in MSF I had so much training on counter steering and such that I feel like it is wrong to turn the handlebars too much. It's okay to turn them pretty sharp, isn't it?

Can you give a newbie girl any tips on making those darn turns?!

*Svetlana* · 03-12-2007

CheriAnn are you remembering to look through your turns? If you become intimidated with a turn, perhaps it's because you're focusing on what is immediately in your path (ie infront of your front tire). I would suggest to always, always, always look through the turns and you'll be able to ride them through with more confidence.

CheriAnn · 03-12-2007

Thank you Svetlana, that's a good point!!! I must not be turning my head all the way over for the turn. It is okay to turn the handlebars sharp if you need to, right? The bike won't do a jack-knife thing will it?

(Oh how I HATE to humiliate myself here with such questions....

)

*Svetlana* · 03-12-2007

Yes, but I think you'll find that you don't need to make as sharp a turn as you might expect. I think turns are more about looking through the turn and using appropriate throttle to pull you out of them than they are about your handlebars (ok, no doubt the degree to which you turn your bars is important! LOL).

Btw, do you find this problem mostly with regards to making a right turn from a full stop? If that's the case, I would say to just keep practicing your throttle control upon acceleration and look to where you want to go... you'll get it

If this happens on all turns (at speed), then make sure you give yourself a nice cushion by slowing down appropriately, but not too much- you want enough gas to pull you through the corners. And again, always look through the turn.

RNMama · 03-12-2007

Just like Svetlana pointed out, the bike goes where you look. I had some problems with this in the very begining and hubby kept telling me, that I must just be turning my eyes, cause my bike was indeed going where my head was turned.

Now I wear glasses, so I tend not to turn just my eyes anymore for anything or I cant see clearly, guess I need the darn things. lol

CheriAnn · 03-12-2007

Thank you!!!!! That makes sense to me. In fact, I think you hit my problem on the head!!! I don't think I am accelerating enough through my turns. Because I get nervous, I am slowing down and tapping brakes until I start the turn and the bike slows down too much. Then I give it some throttle and end up swinging way out.

At least I have an idea of what I need to work on!!!! I thought maybe I was afraid to turn the handlebars very far, but looking through my turn and accelerating correctly should make a difference.
Thanks SO much again!!!!!

CheriAnn · 03-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNMama

Just like Svetlana pointed out, the bike goes where you look. I had some problems with this in the very begining and hubby kept telling me, that I must just be turning my eyes, cause my bike was indeed going where my head was turned.

Now I wear glasses, so I tend not to turn just my eyes anymore for anything or I cant see clearly, guess I need the darn things. lol

Thank you!!!!!
I must be watching traffic and everything around me too much when I turn. I need to block those out and turn my head and eyes through the turn.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one that has experienced this.

*jukief* · 03-12-2007

Cheri, you definitely turn your handlebars when you're making that kind of a turn. Watch the Ride Like a Pro video and notice how sharply they turn the handlebars when they're doing slow maneuvers. I only use countersteering when I'm riding twisties or swerving around something, not for turning corners or making u-turns.

I'd do a lot of practicing making turns in a parking lot without traffic until you feel comfortable. And, like Bonnie says, looking through the turns is important. Don't worry! You'll get the feel of it soon.

*Svetlana* · 03-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheriAnn

Thank you!!!!! That makes sense to me. In fact, I think you hit my problem on the head!!! I don't think I am accelerating enough through my turns. Because I get nervous, I am slowing down and tapping brakes until I start the turn and the bike slows down too much. Then I give it some throttle and end up swinging way out.

At least I have an idea of what I need to work on!!!! I thought maybe I was afraid to turn the handlebars very far, but looking through my turn and accelerating correctly should make a difference.
Thanks SO much again!!!!!

I'm most certain it will solve your dilemma Cheri. Just practice, practice, practice and let us know if that helped!

RNMama · 03-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheriAnn

Thank you!!!!!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one that has experienced this.

I think that in the begining we just have so much going on trying to remember to shift down, dont hit the brakes while actively turning, watch the throttle, look, lean or counter balance, check for the factors, cars, kids, animals...
Infact in the beginging, I remember thinking that I would be a better newbie, if I just didnt have to turn.

CheriAnn · 03-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNMama

Infact in the beginging, I remember thinking that I would be a better newbie, if I just didnt have to turn.

+1

If I just didn't have to make turns.....I like that statement!!!!!

Classic · 03-12-2007

The only thing I can add to Svetlana's excellent advice is to have Chaz follow you to a parking lot where you can practice sharp right and left turns rolling and from a dead stop. Right turns typically are more difficult because you don't have as much room to make the turn. Swing a right turn too wide and you're in the oncoming lane of traffic. Practice, practice, practice.

When I first got my 800A a while back it had been many years since I had ridden. For practice, I would ride over to a local shopping mall that was being demolished in favor of a super Walmart but the huge parking lot was still good. I practiced everything there from turns to quick stops. If I didn't execute something properly, I did it again and again till I got it right.

A little east of here there's a 4-way stop where the road is on a weirdly steep angle and the surface used to be really rutted out and bumpy from truck traffic. Right there, as a new rider, when I'd have to bring the bike to a stop it was like someone was grabbing the handlebars. What I did was to go through that intersection every stinkin' time I went east till I got used to it, and I eventually did. Here in PA you gotta get used to bad road surfaces and I knew that. Practice what you don't do well and eventually you'll be hopping on the bike just like you get in the car.

Remember, we all once were new riders.

pat0021 · 03-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheriAnn

Thank you Svetlana, that's a good point!!! I must not be turning my head all the way over for the turn. It is okay to turn the handlebars sharp if you need to, right? The bike won't do a jack-knife thing will it?

(Oh how I HATE to humiliate myself here with such questions....

)

Its impossible to humiliate yourself when you are asking a serious question that you do not know the answer to!

My best advise is look where you want to go and don't think about what you are doing with the handle bars. If it is a tight turn you will have to turn the handlebars to do it.

Did you do the figure 8 in the box? If so remember how tight you had to turn the bars to do that? Relax you'll be fine. You're worrying too much like I did..LOL

CheriAnn · 03-12-2007

Thank you Classic!
As a matter of fact, it was right turns that were giving more problems!

Practice in a parking lot is needed for sure!!!

Thank you pat0021!
Yes, I did do the figure 8 in the small box, but I was going SO SLOW while doing it. It feels different out on the roads, like when I don't have to stop, but just slow down to make a turn. However, you did remind me that I had to turn those handlebars tight for that and the bike never buckled under me!!!

retaliate · 03-12-2007

Practice! Practice! Practice!, Yeah my wife Charlotte is going thru the same learning curve, her biggest problem so far has been not knowing what gear she is in, yesterday she was in second or third(she's not sure), & didn't make the sharp right turn on a steep hill, the bike bogged, & died, she didn't dump the bike, but sprained her wrist in the process, determined, she made it up the hill, & we continued on a 115 mile ride, her longest ride by far, after we gassed up at Veneta, I let her take the lead, & she ran a stop sign...cause she dosn't like to stop, hopefully the safety course we have her signed up for in April will convince her this is not a good habit. On her second ride a few weeks back, she made a wide right turn getting off the highway, she thinks she was in 4th gear then, It's all part of the learning process. Hang in there, sounds like your doing fine, it all takes time, & practice.

CheriAnn · 03-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by retaliate

Practice! Practice! Practice!, Yeah my wife Charlotte is going thru the same learning curve, her biggest problem so far has been not knowing what gear she is in, yesterday she was in second or third(she's not sure), & didn't make the sharp right turn on a steep hill, the bike bogged, & died, she didn't dump the bike, but sprained her wrist in the process, determined, she made it up the hill, & we continued on a 115 mile ride, her longest ride by far, after we gassed up at Veneta, I let her take the lead, & she ran a stop sign...cause she dosn't like to stop, hopefully the safety course we have her signed up for in April will convince her this is not a good habit. On her second ride a few weeks back, she made a wide right turn getting off the highway, she thinks she was in 4th gear then, It's all part of the learning process. Hang in there, sounds like your doing fine, it all takes time, & practice.

Oh thank you! You can't imagine how much the story of your wife means to me. Right now I just LOVE reading newbie stories and the mistakes people make. Makes me feel more "human" too!

I wish your wife the VERY best!!!!! The MSF course will really help her out.

**2WheelFun** · 03-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jukief

Cheri, you definitely turn your handlebars when you're making that kind of a turn. Watch the Ride Like a Pro video and notice how sharply they turn the handlebars when they're doing slow maneuvers. I only use countersteering when I'm riding twisties or swerving around something, not for turning corners or making u-turns.

I'd do a lot of practicing making turns in a parking lot without traffic until you feel comfortable. And, like Bonnie says, looking through the turns is important. Don't worry! You'll get the feel of it soon.

Cheri, Julie's advice will really help with your turning issues. Once you "see" how it's done and then practice it that way...you'll find it alot easier to do without giving it alot of thought.

kingofwings · 03-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svetlana

CheriAnn are you remembering to look through your turns?

another +1 for Bonnie
That's the FIRST thing they teach you in MSF. If you look where you want to go, you'll go there.

A2rider · 03-12-2007

Good to know you are up and running. +1 to what everyone has said, but you may want to try this. Remember, your bike goes where head goes. Try this in a parking lot, or just going down the street. Turn your head to look at something, and see if the bike doesn't go that way! Don't twist it around too far, but just a little, and see what happens. I think that is waht everyone means by looking into the turn.

sdbrit68 · 03-13-2007

It will come......remember when shifting and just getting a bike rolling was hard ?

same thing, you'll get it

03-12-2007	#1 (permalink)
CheriAnn October MOM 07 Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12,369	Seriously Stupid Newbie Question! Okay, some of you read my post on Saturday about getting out on my bike and riding. I am getting better slowly with each ride. However, I am having a serious nervous breakdown on turns. When Chaz rode with me, he told me I slow down way too much. When we came to an intersection of stops signs (on our road, not main highway!), I slowed way down to make a right turn. (Better add here that my side didn't have the stop signs...I don't want you to think I just slowed down and ran a stop sign!!!) Fortunately, there wasn't a car waiting in the other lane, because I found myself swinging wide for the turn. I think in MSF I had so much training on counter steering and such that I feel like it is wrong to turn the handlebars too much. It's okay to turn them pretty sharp, isn't it? Can you give a newbie girl any tips on making those darn turns?! Last edited by CheriAnn : 03-12-2007 at 01:28 PM.

03-12-2007	#2 (permalink)
Svetlana Sunshine Mod Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle, USA Posts: 6,644	CheriAnn are you remembering to look through your turns? If you become intimidated with a turn, perhaps it's because you're focusing on what is immediately in your path (ie infront of your front tire). I would suggest to always, always, always look through the turns and you'll be able to ride them through with more confidence. __________________ aka Bonnie '97 Moto Guzzi 1100 Sporti Photos

03-12-2007	#4 (permalink)
Svetlana Sunshine Mod Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle, USA Posts: 6,644	Yes, but I think you'll find that you don't need to make as sharp a turn as you might expect. I think turns are more about looking through the turn and using appropriate throttle to pull you out of them than they are about your handlebars (ok, no doubt the degree to which you turn your bars is important! LOL). Btw, do you find this problem mostly with regards to making a right turn from a full stop? If that's the case, I would say to just keep practicing your throttle control upon acceleration and look to where you want to go... you'll get it If this happens on all turns (at speed), then make sure you give yourself a nice cushion by slowing down appropriately, but not too much- you want enough gas to pull you through the corners. And again, always look through the turn. __________________ aka Bonnie '97 Moto Guzzi 1100 Sporti Photos

03-12-2007	#5 (permalink)
RNMama Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Amsterdam, NY Posts: 97	Just like Svetlana pointed out, the bike goes where you look. I had some problems with this in the very begining and hubby kept telling me, that I must just be turning my eyes, cause my bike was indeed going where my head was turned. Now I wear glasses, so I tend not to turn just my eyes anymore for anything or I cant see clearly, guess I need the darn things. lol __________________ RNMama (Bean Counter's better half) * * * * * * * * 2001 Vulcan 800A click here

03-12-2007	#8 (permalink)
jukief I miss you, Deron Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 18,145	Cheri, you definitely turn your handlebars when you're making that kind of a turn. Watch the Ride Like a Pro video and notice how sharply they turn the handlebars when they're doing slow maneuvers. I only use countersteering when I'm riding twisties or swerving around something, not for turning corners or making u-turns. I'd do a lot of practicing making turns in a parking lot without traffic until you feel comfortable. And, like Bonnie says, looking through the turns is important. Don't worry! You'll get the feel of it soon. __________________ In memory of my friend Deron Harden. Life isn't going to be the same without him.

03-12-2007	#3 (permalink)
CheriAnn October MOM 07 Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12,369	Thank you Svetlana, that's a good point!!! I must not be turning my head all the way over for the turn. It is okay to turn the handlebars sharp if you need to, right? The bike won't do a jack-knife thing will it? (Oh how I HATE to humiliate myself here with such questions.... )

03-12-2007	#6 (permalink)
CheriAnn October MOM 07 Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12,369	Thank you!!!!! That makes sense to me. In fact, I think you hit my problem on the head!!! I don't think I am accelerating enough through my turns. Because I get nervous, I am slowing down and tapping brakes until I start the turn and the bike slows down too much. Then I give it some throttle and end up swinging way out. At least I have an idea of what I need to work on!!!! I thought maybe I was afraid to turn the handlebars very far, but looking through my turn and accelerating correctly should make a difference. Thanks SO much again!!!!!

03-12-2007	#12 (permalink)
Classic Ahhh Crap BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southwest PA Posts: 1,887	The only thing I can add to Svetlana's excellent advice is to have Chaz follow you to a parking lot where you can practice sharp right and left turns rolling and from a dead stop. Right turns typically are more difficult because you don't have as much room to make the turn. Swing a right turn too wide and you're in the oncoming lane of traffic. Practice, practice, practice. When I first got my 800A a while back it had been many years since I had ridden. For practice, I would ride over to a local shopping mall that was being demolished in favor of a super Walmart but the huge parking lot was still good. I practiced everything there from turns to quick stops. If I didn't execute something properly, I did it again and again till I got it right. A little east of here there's a 4-way stop where the road is on a weirdly steep angle and the surface used to be really rutted out and bumpy from truck traffic. Right there, as a new rider, when I'd have to bring the bike to a stop it was like someone was grabbing the handlebars. What I did was to go through that intersection every stinkin' time I went east till I got used to it, and I eventually did. Here in PA you gotta get used to bad road surfaces and I knew that. Practice what you don't do well and eventually you'll be hopping on the bike just like you get in the car. Remember, we all once were new riders. __________________ Steve 2003 1500 Classic VROC 11660 RB 139

03-12-2007	#14 (permalink)
CheriAnn October MOM 07 Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12,369	Thank you Classic! As a matter of fact, it was right turns that were giving more problems! Practice in a parking lot is needed for sure!!! Thank you pat0021! Yes, I did do the figure 8 in the small box, but I was going SO SLOW while doing it. It feels different out on the roads, like when I don't have to stop, but just slow down to make a turn. However, you did remind me that I had to turn those handlebars tight for that and the bike never buckled under me!!!

03-12-2007	#15 (permalink)
retaliate Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Springfield, Oregon Posts: 24	Practice! Practice! Practice!, Yeah my wife Charlotte is going thru the same learning curve, her biggest problem so far has been not knowing what gear she is in, yesterday she was in second or third(she's not sure), & didn't make the sharp right turn on a steep hill, the bike bogged, & died, she didn't dump the bike, but sprained her wrist in the process, determined, she made it up the hill, & we continued on a 115 mile ride, her longest ride by far, after we gassed up at Veneta, I let her take the lead, & she ran a stop sign...cause she dosn't like to stop, hopefully the safety course we have her signed up for in April will convince her this is not a good habit. On her second ride a few weeks back, she made a wide right turn getting off the highway, she thinks she was in 4th gear then, It's all part of the learning process. Hang in there, sounds like your doing fine, it all takes time, & practice. __________________ Ken. 94 Honda Magna 750(My bike) 96 Kawasaki Vulcan 500(Wife's bike)

03-12-2007	#19 (permalink)
A2rider Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: KCK Posts: 19,729	Good to know you are up and running. +1 to what everyone has said, but you may want to try this. Remember, your bike goes where head goes. Try this in a parking lot, or just going down the street. Turn your head to look at something, and see if the bike doesn't go that way! Don't twist it around too far, but just a little, and see what happens. I think that is waht everyone means by looking into the turn.

03-13-2007	#20 (permalink)
sdbrit68 Time to Ride Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: orange county california Posts: 6,633	It will come......remember when shifting and just getting a bike rolling was hard ? same thing, you'll get it __________________ I pledge allegiance to the flag, and no bleeding heart liberal judge can tell me otherwise