seanguy
Active member
Morning!
Thought I'd write a little about my first 500km as a new rider. I bought a brand new 2014 Honda CB500F back in December 2014. I chose to buy new because 1) I could afford to buy it outright and 2) I am not very mechanical and I wanted my first season/ seasons to be about the ride not the wrench.
It was delivered at the end of March and I had a rough start. I finished the M1 exit through Humber in October 2014 and I felt that by the time the bike came I had some cobwebs around the little skill/ knowledge I gained. I spent the winter reading a few books and watching a few movies (cough twist of the wrist) to try and keep my mind fresh. When the bike arrived though I blanked! Living at Yonge/ Sheppard in Toronto it is a little intimidating, at least it was for me, to get out on those busy roads. It wasn't until the end of April, after about 30km touring in my underground garage, that I felt comfortable to hit the roads.
My first ride was at 5am on Saturday and I went around the block and logged about 10km just putting around my neighbourhood. No real issues but still a fair bit of nerves related to stalling in traffic/ in the middle of an intersection/ on the uphill exit of my underground garage - the sensor, obviously, doesn't pick up the bike. Besides the fear of stalling, the act of actually getting on the road 100% cleared my mind. The focus became on the technique learned back in October and the surroundings. Huge confidence boost.
Second/Third/5th rides were about the same but even shorter for the most part but the fear of stalling was still there. I hadn't had any issues on the road stalling, but getting out of my underground was always done on the second/ third attempt.
First long ride: my fiance's father and brother both ride Harleys and they have been riding forever. They invited me to take a tour with them this past Saturday. No discussion on length or route; just yes - absolutely. We spent 11 hours, 7am to 6pm (with breaks), cruising from Toronto to Whitby to Cambellford and back around to Toronto. We stayed off the 400 series but were easily above highway speeds once we got onto the northern two lane highways heading west to east. The whole experience was amazing. Experienced gravel roads, steep uphill starts, roundabouts, debris in the road, group riding, slow and fast speed cornering and rain to start the day off.
Finishing the day was the most tired, most rewarding and most relieved I can remember! It boosted my confidence up 100% - not to push the limits - but to continue learning in all environments.
Things I learned:
- stolen from proficient motorcycling but I wanted to put this at the top - slow, look, lean, roll! The biggest things being slow and look in my beginner opinion.
- getting into first from neutral at lights/ stops... I wouldn't say 'cheat' the red/ stop by engaging early but definitely get the clutch into that sweet spot where it wants to go all the way. I found this was the best way to keep my confidence up for engaging first - this way I wasn't 'rushed' to get into first... I was already there just had to roll on the throttle and gently let out the clutch the last inch or two.
- roundabouts are freaking weird. When you are moving on a bike, at least for me, you want to ignore the yield and just keep rolling around. I caught myself not slowing down and instead getting ready to speed up, rather than yield in case of a vehicle. Had to keep telling myself to slow it down and be ready to brake rather than be ready to punch it.
- fish and chips at Captain George's is Cambellford is great! Don't get the two piece though unless you want to be rolled out of the restaurant.
- gravel: like proficient motorcycling said, steer with the throttle and if possible, stay off the front brake and only if you have to use the back brake - lightly/ evenly
Mistakes I made:
- coming in too fast to intersection corners. I only made the mistake once, and I promise you once is enough to learn. We had just finished coming from highway speeds to a 50 zone and were looking to turn right. The guys in front took it at an impressive click and I broke the cardinal rule - ride for yourself and don't try to keep up. I crossed the opposing lane by at least 3 feet. Luckily there was no car. We took a break 10 minutes up the road and I got a talking to... skip the talk and just slow down
- uphill starts: I don't know why I was so nervous about these... I still am but less so... just engage the sweet spot of the clutch and roll on a few extra RPM over the normal, flat start. At least that is what I found worked for me - duh.
- passing a tractor. yep. I am a fool. There was a very, very large combine on a two lane and the boys were able to get by quickly, without issue... when I got closer, however... there was traffic coming the other direction... again - like the roundabout - rather than thinking slow, yield and go... I throttled up and split. It worked out but I felt like a tool. I did it for the wrong reasons, I didn't want to get left behind. Don't rush just chill.
Well of text is done! Happy riding!
Thought I'd write a little about my first 500km as a new rider. I bought a brand new 2014 Honda CB500F back in December 2014. I chose to buy new because 1) I could afford to buy it outright and 2) I am not very mechanical and I wanted my first season/ seasons to be about the ride not the wrench.
It was delivered at the end of March and I had a rough start. I finished the M1 exit through Humber in October 2014 and I felt that by the time the bike came I had some cobwebs around the little skill/ knowledge I gained. I spent the winter reading a few books and watching a few movies (cough twist of the wrist) to try and keep my mind fresh. When the bike arrived though I blanked! Living at Yonge/ Sheppard in Toronto it is a little intimidating, at least it was for me, to get out on those busy roads. It wasn't until the end of April, after about 30km touring in my underground garage, that I felt comfortable to hit the roads.
My first ride was at 5am on Saturday and I went around the block and logged about 10km just putting around my neighbourhood. No real issues but still a fair bit of nerves related to stalling in traffic/ in the middle of an intersection/ on the uphill exit of my underground garage - the sensor, obviously, doesn't pick up the bike. Besides the fear of stalling, the act of actually getting on the road 100% cleared my mind. The focus became on the technique learned back in October and the surroundings. Huge confidence boost.
Second/Third/5th rides were about the same but even shorter for the most part but the fear of stalling was still there. I hadn't had any issues on the road stalling, but getting out of my underground was always done on the second/ third attempt.
First long ride: my fiance's father and brother both ride Harleys and they have been riding forever. They invited me to take a tour with them this past Saturday. No discussion on length or route; just yes - absolutely. We spent 11 hours, 7am to 6pm (with breaks), cruising from Toronto to Whitby to Cambellford and back around to Toronto. We stayed off the 400 series but were easily above highway speeds once we got onto the northern two lane highways heading west to east. The whole experience was amazing. Experienced gravel roads, steep uphill starts, roundabouts, debris in the road, group riding, slow and fast speed cornering and rain to start the day off.
Finishing the day was the most tired, most rewarding and most relieved I can remember! It boosted my confidence up 100% - not to push the limits - but to continue learning in all environments.
Things I learned:
- stolen from proficient motorcycling but I wanted to put this at the top - slow, look, lean, roll! The biggest things being slow and look in my beginner opinion.
- getting into first from neutral at lights/ stops... I wouldn't say 'cheat' the red/ stop by engaging early but definitely get the clutch into that sweet spot where it wants to go all the way. I found this was the best way to keep my confidence up for engaging first - this way I wasn't 'rushed' to get into first... I was already there just had to roll on the throttle and gently let out the clutch the last inch or two.
- roundabouts are freaking weird. When you are moving on a bike, at least for me, you want to ignore the yield and just keep rolling around. I caught myself not slowing down and instead getting ready to speed up, rather than yield in case of a vehicle. Had to keep telling myself to slow it down and be ready to brake rather than be ready to punch it.
- fish and chips at Captain George's is Cambellford is great! Don't get the two piece though unless you want to be rolled out of the restaurant.
- gravel: like proficient motorcycling said, steer with the throttle and if possible, stay off the front brake and only if you have to use the back brake - lightly/ evenly
Mistakes I made:
- coming in too fast to intersection corners. I only made the mistake once, and I promise you once is enough to learn. We had just finished coming from highway speeds to a 50 zone and were looking to turn right. The guys in front took it at an impressive click and I broke the cardinal rule - ride for yourself and don't try to keep up. I crossed the opposing lane by at least 3 feet. Luckily there was no car. We took a break 10 minutes up the road and I got a talking to... skip the talk and just slow down
- uphill starts: I don't know why I was so nervous about these... I still am but less so... just engage the sweet spot of the clutch and roll on a few extra RPM over the normal, flat start. At least that is what I found worked for me - duh.
- passing a tractor. yep. I am a fool. There was a very, very large combine on a two lane and the boys were able to get by quickly, without issue... when I got closer, however... there was traffic coming the other direction... again - like the roundabout - rather than thinking slow, yield and go... I throttled up and split. It worked out but I felt like a tool. I did it for the wrong reasons, I didn't want to get left behind. Don't rush just chill.
Well of text is done! Happy riding!
I had heard that but to their credit they did park it and wait for me on multiple occasions when I hit a red light 
