Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 226
Likes: 7
Joined: Feb 24, 2013 8:11:58 GMT -5
|
Post by danno on Jul 21, 2013 12:42:54 GMT -5
Well it's been a long road traveled and I didn't even leave the neighborhood. ;D It was back in January that I decided to become part of "The Ride" At 53, I had never ridden a motorcycle or scooter in my life, but, the call to be on two wheels was tugging at me. I took the safety course only to hit the front break too hard causing me to visit the emergency room. Long story short, it's taken me 6 months to heal. I'll be returning to work on Wednesday. In the meantime, the Burgman 400 I bought back in February remained under my car port looking pretty but not ridden. Yesterday I took it for it's maiden voyage around my sub-division. Took some getting used to. It's a pretty heavy bike for a newbie like me. Making solid left and right hand turns for was my challenge. A little shaky still....not ready for prime time yet, but with a little time and practice, I'm confident I'll get there. Sort of reminds me when I was 16 or 17 and first learning to handle a car. It's a learning process that shouldn't take too long. It's raining again today, so I'll just have to wait. Dan  |
|
New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Joined: Jun 20, 2013 11:18:54 GMT -5
|
Post by paulviino10 on Jul 21, 2013 13:09:43 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the mishap..... But kudos for getting back on the ride. I'm 54 been riding on / of road since age 12. Every once and a while stupid happens. I have to leave it alone for a while. Last February My sister gave me an Ice Bear cyclone. Its taken a while to go from 2 wheels to three. Like you there is/was a steep learning curve. Keep up the positive attitude and watch out for all the crazies out there that "look right through you". Situational awareness is a must. good luck keep the wheels turning... Paul
|
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 226
Likes: 7
Joined: Feb 24, 2013 8:11:58 GMT -5
|
Post by danno on Jul 21, 2013 15:28:42 GMT -5
Thank you Paul.
It did stop raining. I just got back from my 2nd run and things went a lot smoother than yesterday. Still not ready for the open road yet, but I definitely saw improvements from yesterdays ride. Turns were a lot smoother and I felt more comfortable at about 35mph. It is a sub-division after all. I still want to gain more confidence in my abilities before I take it out into traffic.
|
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
2008 Roketa MC54B 257 (10,000 miles and climbing)
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
Joined: Feb 26, 2013 19:32:19 GMT -5
|
Post by bhinch on Jul 21, 2013 18:55:50 GMT -5
Welcome.... I am 64 and enjoy each ride on my scoot....I have 10,000 miles and 5 yrs on my scoot..... but I still work a full time job...so my commute everyday is to work.....have not retired yet....
|
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 226
Likes: 7
Joined: Feb 24, 2013 8:11:58 GMT -5
|
Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 6:22:12 GMT -5
Thanks BH! You're just a "little" north of me. I'm just outside of Houston. Every day is a new learning experience, I hope that never changes.  |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jul 22, 2013 6:34:00 GMT -5
Very sorry to hear of your accident. (and congratulations for having the guts to get back on and ride) That said, may I recommend (if you are not using it already) Armored Motorcycle gear? At 54 I love to ride, but wish to reduce the chance of injury if (Heaven forbid) I go flying off the bike. Having been in a few scrapes already, it's amazing what it can do to stop serious injury and can mean the difference between getting a lift home or an ambulance ride to the hospital. (BTW, May you rides from now on be "incident" free. ) |
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
Joined: May 6, 2013 8:28:08 GMT -5
|
Post by keltex78 on Jul 22, 2013 9:27:47 GMT -5
My first run around the block was the same day; I got my Jonway YY250T (yeah, it's no Burgman) running and took it cruising. Yesterday afternoon, I cranked it back up and spent a while making loops in the high school parking lot just a block over from where I live, and then running back and forth through the neighborhood. I put the first 10 miles of break-in on the scoot over the weekend. bhinch; I'm just up the road from you! I just moved out of Henderson to the surrounding area... |
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 226
Likes: 7
Joined: Feb 24, 2013 8:11:58 GMT -5
|
Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 10:20:42 GMT -5
Very sorry to hear of your accident. (and congratulations for having the guts to get back on and ride) That said, may I recommend (if you are not using it already) Armored Motorcycle gear? At 54 I love to ride, but wish to reduce the chance of injury if (Heaven forbid) I go flying off the bike. Having been in a few scrapes already, it's amazing what it can do to stop serious injury and can mean the difference between getting a lift home or an ambulance ride to the hospital. (BTW, May you rides from now on be "incident" free. ) Do I remember correctly that you're in Florida? I recall having a conversation with you...I think about wearing armored jackets in the summer? Really? Living in Texas in July that seemed so strange. Nevertheless, I purchased an armored jacket months ago. Wore it during the safety class despite it being  degrees. I've worn it continually ever since. It's actually not too bad, as long as you're moving. The ironic thing about that jacket was I ordered it on line. I received it in the mail the day I got home from the emergency room.  |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jul 22, 2013 11:48:59 GMT -5
|
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 226
Likes: 7
Joined: Feb 24, 2013 8:11:58 GMT -5
|
Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 14:29:28 GMT -5
Pretty "cool"..Appreciate the tip |
|
|
|
Post by scootnwinn on Jul 22, 2013 14:40:53 GMT -5
Danno I notice you are typing on a forum when I am certain you need to be practicing.   Get out there and ride young man! |
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 226
Likes: 7
Joined: Feb 24, 2013 8:11:58 GMT -5
|
Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 17:05:30 GMT -5
[replyingto=scootnwinn]scootnwinn[/replyingto]Just getting back in Rob. Put in about an hours worth. One area I need to work on is making a right hand turns from a dead stop, typically a stop sign. I tend to over reach and go over the yellow line a tad. I'm compensating by dragging my right foot on the ground until I get up enough speed to balance the bike again. Can anyone relate or has it been too many years to remember when you first started out? Any tips? It's a Burgman 400, so consider that too.
Dan
|
|
|
|
Post by scootnwinn on Jul 22, 2013 17:36:50 GMT -5
Dragging your feet might feel better but it really is pulling you off center. Get your feet on the floor boards as soon as you can and give it a bit of throttle physics will you keep you up and the faster you are going the more it holds you up. Try to let it flow in the corners if you know your turning right at the sign maybe start a bit farther back so your corner speed is a bit higher. Try slowing as much as you can in a straight line before putting your feet down to get a feel for when it will tip over. Burgmans are stable bikes and I can tell with certainty it will balance at a stop without your feet down and you can take a right hand turn at 35 without scraping. Take it slow though a little at a time but definitely spend some time getting used to using the throttle to keep you up right and not your feet...
|
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 213
Likes: 4
Joined: Mar 10, 2013 15:08:17 GMT -5
|
Post by crawdad on Jul 22, 2013 20:18:28 GMT -5
[replyingto=danno]danno[/replyingto]danno ,it is good to give it a try . I am  and going to give it my best. I just received a Q 6 3 wheeler ,and with lick ,I will be able to hold on to it . We will see.!!  |
|
Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Joined: Jul 8, 2013 0:35:19 GMT -5
|
Post by djscootz on Jul 22, 2013 23:55:00 GMT -5
I am sure they taught you this in the safety course, but just a reminder to "look where you want the bike to go." Try turning your head harder into those stopped right turns and it may correct on its own.
|
|
degrees. I've worn it continually ever since. It's actually not too bad, as long as you're moving. The ironic thing about that jacket was I ordered it on line. I received it in the mail the day I got home from the emergency room. 
and going to give it my best.