my precious

I has a bike.

See a few shots here

I picked it up after work today. Paid for it, got my tour, and then I had a bike. the_big_cat came by and gave me a lot of advice starting out. Little things the M1 study guide doesn’t mention. Things that aren’t necessary, but help make the experience easier.

I started by just doing circles in first gear in the good times/Wendy’s parking lot. That went well but a lot of shaky jerky stops and starts. The throttle is so sensitive in first gear that the slightest touch sends the bike jerking forward, or slowing suddenly. It got better as I learned to play the clutch as well to smooth things out. Then we each took our bike across Hunt Club to the Costco parking lot, where I got it to second and third gear. Nothing to worry about there, second, and especially third were glass smooth and I felt in full control. A bit of that gave me a world of confidence. I still have trouble gearing down as I stop. I can gear down one easy to travel slower, but if I am coming to a stop, I am “supposed” to gear down through all the gears, and it was a few too many lobes. I tended to just brake with the brakes, and leave the clutch in. I was caught sometimes by the fact that unlike a car, it’s rather easy to have both the brake on, and the throttle on, and I wondered why is it revving like that as I try and stop. That’s just something to get used to though. Eventually, he followed me in my car, and I drove home. No trouble at all. I was already getting used to the initial move from a stop, making it smooth. It wasn’t perfect, but no complications either.

Feeling the wind on you is a weird feeling, especially a cross breeze. Limited mirror visibility is also something that will take getting used to, but shoulder checks are much easier than in the car. I have a bit of a habit of riding the rear brake pedal, I need to find a place for my foot that isn’t touching that pedal. I also have to remember to turn off the turn signal, but I didn’t do too badly on that front. I also have to get used to the vibrations in the feet.

I has a bike. If the weather is good, I will probably take it to work tomorrow. The only part I feel the least shaky on is that initial start. Get me to 40 or 50 kph and I feel very secure. I never got faster than 60 or 70 on the way home but it was no problem even there.

Originally published at Mike Pictor.