How long did it take you to learn how to ride a bike?

[phastolive]

I just got on a motorcycle for the first time in my life on sat and fell twice. Everything hurts, nothing happened to the bike though =). Today my friend gets on my bike for the first time in his life and hes got it down in 10 minutes, im on my fourth day and I still dun really get it. Is this normal or am i just like an idiot? be honest.....

[Frankt07]

you might be trying a little too hard. its just like riding a bicycle only you have a motor between your legs. take it easy and keep practicing.
rome wasnt conquered in a day

[Tod]

Everyone learns at their own pace, some come by it naturally.

Otherwise we'd all be super athletes/scientists/pulitzer etc...

Just don't rush things if you're not comfortable, you are in charge of how you proceed down the path.

Welcome to the world of two wheels.

[BamaBob]

Actually, I am still learning - every time I get on the bike! I rode for several years, then had a 20+ year layoff raising my kids before returning in 2004. The basics came back fairly quickly, but I truly learn something on every ride. Just take it at your own pace and you will do fine!!





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZSYYYYYYYYUS

[zedx11]

just take it easy, don't worry about if someone learns faster. just because they can keep it on two wheels in the parking lot doesn't mean they realy know what they are doing.

[longbeachgary]

What is it that you're having a problem with? Clutch? Gas?
Have you ever driven a manual transmission car?

[Ericthejet]

Slow and steady wins the race my friend.

[neebelung]

Have either of you taken the MSF (or Basic Rider Course?)... ? If not, TAKE IT, NOW... before you try teaching yourselves anything else, take the class. The class will be easier if you haven't learned any bad habits. The skills and lessons you learn in the MSF are invaluable... when I took mine, there were riders who had been riding (without a motorcycle endorsement) for 20+ years, and even they walked out of the class saying they had learned a TON (and had a lot of fun, too!)

That said, there was a long gap (about 5 mos) between the time I took my course, and the time my bike was up and running (project bike)... so once I got back in the saddle, I felt like I was starting from scratch. It took me a couple of months of riding sporadically (still working bugs out of the bike, the the holidays came, etc....) before I started to feel like I knew what I was doing. And then finally around January or February, I started riding more consistently (would go for evening rides with my BF, would ride to bike night, etc....).

Still, I started learning the MOST, and seeing the best improvement of my skills when I started riding to work daily. When you ride frequently, it all starts to become second nature to you, and it all feels more natural (less thinking, more enjoyment).

It's a constant learning process, and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a rider who doesn't claim to learn new things/skills all the time.

So take the course, learn safely, and ENJOY YOURSELF.....

[SixFiveOh]

Originally Posted by phastolive

How long did it take you to learn how to ride a bike?

35 years ago I first swung a leg over a motorcycle. I'm still learning.

As others have mentioned - take the MSF course. That way you're dropping their bikes instead of yours.

[3000gt]

Yep, take it easy, go step by step, don't rush past the basics.
And if you're having trouble with anything in particular, post up! maybe we can help out.

[Freakinout]

I had the basics down decently after a few months, but after 3 years I'm still learning a lot. Once you understand the concepts, you are always improving your skills.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by Tod

Everyone learns at their own pace, some come by it naturally.

Otherwise we'd all be super athletes/scientists/pulitzer etc...

You aren't all those things? I thought doing all those things before I was 25 was just the natural course of things. That cure for cancer thing is taking a bit longer than I'd hoped, though....

Hmmm. I wonder if I can fit an Indy 500 win and a space shuttle launch into my schedule...

[Tod]

I am sooo giving you a giant nooogie right on the head when I finally meet you.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by Tod

I am sooo giving you a giant nooogie right on the head when I finally meet you.

I am soooo going to work on cloning myself immediately so I can send one to meet you first....

[r3dninja]

Originally Posted by longbeachgary

What is it that you're having a problem with? Clutch? Gas?
Have you ever driven a manual transmission car?

That's exactly what I was going to ask. If you figure out what part you are having problems with then you can work on that part more. I think it helps when riding a motorcycle or driving a manual car to know what is happening when you pull or push in the clutch. I think that is why I learned how to drive a stick after 5 minutes of being shown.

[silentshot]

It will be easier if you take the MSF. It will help you a lot. Remember "crawl, walk, run", don't rush and you will learn.

[Billy D.]

Welcome! Sounds like you already have good sound advise from these guys.

[BigJohn]

You have been given good advice. Take it. Like otherws on this forum, I've been riding for a LOT of years. Take the class. The practice on your scoot.

And, welcome to the forum.

[phastolive]

Originally Posted by longbeachgary

What is it that you're having a problem with? Clutch? Gas?
Have you ever driven a manual transmission car?

thats the thing i never did. so the whole clutch and gear thing is new to me. The weight of the bike also makes it difficult esp when turning. I am just going to take it one step at a time, thank god my boyfriend is so patient. Also I still cant figure out how to release the throttle slowly i always jerk and the jerk scares the living crap out of me. (thats how i fell twice) Im doing the very common thing of adding more throttle by accident when the bike jerks just becasue im dryign to hold on.

Oh well as soon as the t storms stop in nyc im going back out there
thanks for the reasurance everyone. I am signing up for the msf course!

[tingboy]

Originally Posted by phastolive

thats the thing i never did. so the whole clutch and gear thing is new to me. The weight of the bike also makes it difficult esp when turning. I am just going to take it one step at a time, thank god my boyfriend is so patient. Also I still cant figure out how to release the throttle slowly i always jerk and the jerk scares the living crap out of me. (thats how i fell twice) Im doing the very common thing of adding more throttle by accident when the bike jerks just becasue im dryign to hold on.

Oh well as soon as the t storms stop in nyc im going back out there
thanks for the reasurance everyone. I am signing up for the msf course!

since you're still getting used to the controls... it might be wise not to turn...

and good idea in signing up for the msf course... what helped my wife learn the controls, was i had her go in a straight line while i was standing and jogging behind the bike holding it only when needed... kinda like on tv when the dad/mom pretends to be holding the bicycle from behind while the kid's freaked out about riding... and it also helps if you say to yourself, "man, this is easy"... believe it or not... that made all the difference in the world for my lady...

ting