How much practice??

[Lake Van 7]

So Ive been learning to ride for 2 days now in a small parking lot, I dont know too much but Ive got the whole basics of changing gears, and starting cleanly without stalling and downshifting down i guess.

However, I havent practiced over the speed of 30mph, since tyhe parking lot Ive practiced on is very small and narrow. I use it cuz its literraly right next to my apartment. I want to practice at a different parking lot which is bigger, but that would mean, me going in traffic which I havent yet done, since the next closest one is about a mile away.

Is it okay for me to go to traffic now?

[messer00]

Have you taken the MSF course yet?

[Lake Van 7]

No I haven't

[messer00]

I would suggest you take the course. I know is costs a few $$$ but it's worth it. After the course is complete you'll feel comfortable enough to practice on the streets and not in a parking lot. You'll see. And whatever you do, no matter how hot it gets, always wear your gear. It was 103 here in CA a few days ago and I still had all of my gear on.

[messer00]

By the way... If you have to ASK if it's okay, it's not.

[topolover]

Call the police department and ask if they have any motorcycle training courses you can take.
You're better off spending $5,000 on motorcycle training courses (though I know for a fact they are no where near that much) instead of later on having to spend $30,000+ on medical bills.

[jbsmd]

Get your butt in a MSF class. Do you have a permit yet (take a written) from DMV. I'd hate to recommend getting into traffic yet, cause there is so much to learn besides shifting and steering. Like how to handle emergency situations that you won't get from a parking lot. You could ride on streets that don't have much activity. Practice weaving, emergency braking, figure 8's, tight turn from take off (left and right), emergency stop while turning (stand the bike up before you apply the brakes). Stuff like this helps before you have to guess what to do in traffic when someone does something you're not expecting. There are also sites that give advice on how to ride. Just read and practice as much as you can at first, from then on it's all an on the job training.....forever.

[Lake Van 7]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I do understand what you guys are saying, but my problem is that I live in an apartment building in a busy congested street.

There is really no where besides the small little parking lot right next to my apartment to practisce which Ive done, and I cant do the whole learning how to steer, brake, turn, weave, go faster than 30, etc unless I go to a different site which requires me to go into the streets., because the next nearest lot which I can practice on is about 3/4 of a mile away

Do you guys maybe suggest me doing this really early in the morning or very late at night where there would be muchhhhhhh less traffic possibly???

[jbsmd]

The time would be your choice since you know your area better than anyone. I would not suggest night, cause you'd be harder to notice by someone else. What is your age and type of bike you're trying to master? Just curious.

[dfischer]

If you can get up to 30 mph, you can practice weaving, 8's, u-turns, etc. Do that.

[RichLockyer]

Take the MSF class. It will save your life.

[Miralcos]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Take the MSF class. It will save your life.

+1,000,000

[V2K_CCTX]

Pm me your email and I will forward all the MSF guides to you to help you!

[TAFNAP]

If you really want to practice in a bigger lot have a buddy which has their bike license drive it there for you and then practice and have him/her drive it back, but take the course it is more than worth it.

[antiq]

+1000 to all the above.

[gr8ride]

I am in the same boat as you Lake Van 7. Just bought my bike and have been practicing in my neighborhood in different situations: At 1:00 there is no traffic so I ride, then at 5:00 we have a lot of people coming home and I ride then as well. people in cars go no more than 10 mph so its good practice. Every time I feel I am "ready" someone in a car scares the **** out of me! They don't see me at all, and we have kids in the neighborhood that are smaller and harder to see than me.

I do have my permit though, so I am entirely legal to ride.

I have looked up some MSF classes but the subsidized one's are hard to get into as they are really full. So as an alternative I have been doing all of the recommended exercises: figure 8's, hard braking, low speed U turns, obstacle's, speed bumps, etc. until I can take the course.

I am however looking for experienced riders to ride with in order to get more direction on how to ride well. None of my friends have motorcycles so it has been hard finding people to ride with.

Hope this helps, let me know what you decide to do! Enjoy the Bike!

[vulcaneyez]

Even with the MSF course, I put 60 miles on my bike just going up and back on the only rode in my neighborhood. It is only 3/10 of a mile long and ends in a cul-de-sac. Maybe I was too cautious, but I wanted to make sure I could handle the bike before heading out into the world on it.

[B-Bob]

Originally Posted by vulcaneyez

Even with the MSF course, I put 60 miles on my bike just going up and back on the only rode in my neighborhood. It is only 3/10 of a mile long and ends in a cul-de-sac. Maybe I was too cautious, but I wanted to make sure I could handle the bike before heading out into the world on it.

+1

I took the MSF course as a complete newbie, and bought a bike a few weeks later. I had one of the salesmen ride the bike to my house, because I didn't want my first experience on a new bike to be the 6 lane boulevard in front of the dealer.

I spent the next few days just riding around the neighborhood. Then I started adding some of the smaller feeder roads around the house to get the feel for traffic, and worked my way up to larger, more congested (and more dangerous) roads.

I'm glad I took my time. I don't recall ever feeling like I was in over my head.

[NCDave]

I was thinking as you Van. Try riding over there when it's a low-traffic time. Continue to practice in your lot until then. None of the MSF stuff gives you practice at higher speeds, so that will be a new experience for you regardless. Just take it slow and easy and be attentive to everything. If you have a friend who rides, that's a big asset too.

Take the MSF course as soon as you can. it will be a great help. Knowledge is power!

[lilredridingliz]

I took the MSF course and THEN practiced in a parking lot for a couple of weeks before taking it to the street. You will learn invaluable lessons during the course and you will be so much a better rider because of the course.