New Motorcycle rider!!!?

Question

I am a new motorcyclist, I just bought a 2004 SV650S. I love the bike, however...ive never rode a bike until last saturday!! I have no problem riding around town, back roads, and just about anything under 50 mph. As soon as I get on a highway I basically get scared of the bike. I dont know what the deal is...its like I cant lean into corners, i feel like i wanna pull to the right. I think I might be concentrating too much on pushing on the handle bars or something. I dont know. Anyone else feel this way their first week?? and no I cant take a MSF course because they are full until october

Answer 1

also check your tire pressure as it has a lot to do with pulling from side to side and don't be scared to lean forward to improve wind resistance

Answer 2

I'm a firm believer that you cannot teach somebody counter steering. It is a natural body reflex tied into equalibrium. If you have to think about it and make a conscience decision to do it, then you don't need to be on a motorcycle.

A healthy dose of fear and respect for the bike and road is good for everybody. The highway is scary for most of us at one point or another. Take your time and practice. Some guys have been riding for 15 years and are still learning stuff.

Answer 3

practice makes perfect..

leaning into corners is an art in itself..  Good riders can scrape the pegs on the road..

being new & not knowing how much you understand I will offer some tips & advice on how the steering on bikes work...

to turn to the left you actually have to turn the bike to the right.. This is called counter steering.. when you turn the bars to the right the bike is thrown of centre & leans to the left causing the bike to go to the left..

On a straight piece of road at about 30 MPH..   gently push the right & left bar forward alternately.. this will cause the bike to weave gently from left to right...    (opposite to the way your turning)..  remember push right & the bike goes right..

this is the basic of bike steering & most people do it without thinking..  So maybe your thinking to much..

It is important to understand this principal because when the car appears in front of you..  you need to turn towards the car to miss it..

Hope this helps..   & slow & sure is better than a trip to the hospital.

take your time..  it will come to you with practice..

& book the MSF course in October..   you will still learn stuff you need to know...  Like the front brake is 100% of your stopping power..

Answer 4

Relax, breathe, enjoy the ride.  If the highway scares you, don't go on them until you get more miles under your belt.  Not everyone is built the same, some people get on a bike and head for the highway, some head for the slower roads.  Relax and enjoy your bike!

Answer 5

Don't stress i bought an R1 for my first bike and had never ever rode a bike in my life!!!! i was the same on highways i really s**t myself ha ha. Especially passing a big truck or something. But it just takes a few runs on there to get used to it. Dont think about the leans just relax and cruise. You sound EXACTLY the same as i was but now after a couple of months my confidance is sky high!!  

Answer 6

Main highways still make me a lil nervous too and im comfortable at no more than 60 mph. If people dont like it they can just go on around. lol I rode dirtbikes for years and quit for awhile and have jsut now gotten a cruiser. I like to ride the lil side roads and stay off the main highway. Probably isnt any safer with it being narrower and curvier but I feel better. Just ride every chance you get and it will get better every time.

Answer 7

Well, you better take the course in October, and you better learn to lean the bike. This is imperative to safe riding. This is how motorcycles, and bicycles, turn. It can save your life, no exaggeration. You can practice leaning on a bike. No joke. You need o learn to brake from highway speeds, how NOT to lockup the rear wheel, How not to grab the brakes. You can practice all you want, but you need to learn correctly or you are practicing the wrong thing! Motorcycles are a blast, but they require skill. It's very rewarding when you do learn. BTW, the front brake is about 70% of the stopping power.

Answer 8

I've been riding for 39 years now. Interstates in the metro area still make me nervous and so does heavier traffic on busy streets....

It's a machine, do what makes you feel comfortable. You are learning to take command of your machine. Quite frankly if you can't understand or feel that your butt has more to do with control then the bars you still need time. Your upper legs, butt, and waist have more to do with controlling your direction and lean then pushing or pulling the bars will ever have. Learning to lean correctly takes confidence and time and that's better then experimenting with limits at this stage for you. Find a big empty lot and practice swaying with your butt and hips at slow speeds then gradually build up as you get the feel and gain confidence, just don't get in a hurry it doesn't happen over-night. If you want an illustration of what I'm talking about rent a DVD on down hill skiers and watch how everything they do is centered on their butts. The butt determines what the arms need to do and where the legs need to go.... this is your lowest center of gravity tune it with the bikes.... your extremities are just fine tuning mechanisms. And by all means your eyes down the road signal what your butt needs to do.... YOU are the control mechanism of your bike, your whole body....mind, spirit, the whole nine yards....  

PS, make sure that lot is gravel free... please watch out for sand and small gravel if you try this, that would make for a whole new experience

Answer 9

stay off the bike till you take the class... is my first suggestion....(not likely to happen)

you should find a few trusted riding buddies and only ride when they can watch and ride with you....please bear in mind these should NOT be the guys you go hang out with and drink beer.....rather some salty old guys who have been riding since you were in gradeschool,,, the experience they can share with you is inifnitely more vaulable than your pals who cant keep the front wheel on the ground....

congrats on the new bike and ride smart and enjoy