This bike stuff can get expensive , I would recommend you take this course even if you have to spend the 200 .It'll help on insurance plus you'll get some very good basic operating skills .I believe , personally , that anyone considering the purchase of a motorcycle ..........especially a street bike ............take this course . That's just my opinion of course .

 

i have a friend who has taken the course has been riding for over a decade and is most likely qualified to become an instructor.... what if i just learned from him? then get my bike, then when i have the money take the course knowing i know whats going on and with little effort pass the test? i just dont feel like letting go of $200 i dont have yet.

 

You'll find as you ride more that it is a combination of counter steering and adjusting your speed b4, during, and out of a turn. Along with adjusting your speed during a turn, you'll be doing the same with your counter steering, more as the turn gets tighter and less as it ends or coming out. This will become second nature like Notstock said.

 

well i can make a full 180 turn in a tight intersection going about 10 MPH.... god that sounds horrible compared to what you guy can probably do, but does that help my learning any? i want to practice some figure 8's later and get that down so i dont have to worry about it when im taking the MSF course along with swerving and weaving so i can get my ballance more under controll some more. my friend who is letting me use his bike sais im doing pretty good for a beginner ^_^ encurragement is great :P

 

At 10 mph you are most likey not countersteering but slow sharp turns are very important to lear as well and also take a fair amount of skill.

Try that drill I mentioned before about going straight, best on the freeway or 55 mph road, and push on either bar a little and watch what the bike does. It is one of the best ways to get an understanding of counter steering.

BTW your sig rocks lol

 

thanks ^_^ you should see the poster i have then lol.

i doubt i was counter steering also. but i have made wider 180 turns.... i was at my friends moms appt. and she lives on the strait away going out of the appt. id say about 15-25 feet wide between the entrence and exit lanes into the appt. i took that at about 15 MPH going out of the exit and into the entrence.... other than that thats about all ive done for turnning, and i got that down pretty good. i used to race my bicycle around my old appt. going as fast as my legs would pump me, you think that would have stuck in my head and help me out later on down the road?

 

Can't tell you how many foos I see trying to make a simple u turn and they alsmot blow it because they cant make the slow tight turns. lol

Everything will come with practice, just start at your comfort level and move up when you feel ready. Next thing you know you will be out dragging knee.

 

Yup, the slow turns are a b*tch (ie a u turn within a car parking slot). Takes throttle, clutch and balance. And feeling comfy.

 

dragging knee huh.... ill be posting pics of that along with the stitches lol well first things first and thats getting my friend over here to help me preactice on these empty back streets.

 

You should not be worried about stitches if you are geared up correctly. But yes, get used to the ride and be comfy.