ProfesorFrink
Member
I just bought my first bike and I had the same anxiety about going out on the road. Like you, I've been driving a car for 20+ years.
Might be different for you but the reason I was so worried is that I kept thinking that there are going to be a million different things I'll have to track and manage - physically controlling the bike, remembering to signal and shoulder check, paying attention to other vehicles, road signs, traffic lights, rules of the road, etc. It seemed like it would be overwhelming and I'd end up screwing up when it really matters. However, as soon as I got onto the road my car driving skills sort of transferred over and all the stuff about traffic rules, signs, other cars, etc was second nature and the only thing I had to actively think about was physically controlling the bike and making sure I was seen.
To get more confident controlling the bike, find an empty parking lot near the dealership, if you can, and practise. I was lucky there was one next door to the dealership and I spent a solid two hours there before going on the road.
As others have said, find the least busy route. I would also add, find a route that doesn't require a lot of turns since that's where you're most likely to get frazzled. I got mine from AM Sales in Vaughan and I live in Brampton. Instead of taking the shortest route, I went straight up Keele, to the edge of Vaughan, took a left on highway 49, then a left on Torbram which got me to my neighborhood. It was longer but much simpler and less crowded.
Hope this helps. I will also add, when I stared riding on the road it felt amazing. Be careful but don't let the fear stop you, it's totally worth it.
Might be different for you but the reason I was so worried is that I kept thinking that there are going to be a million different things I'll have to track and manage - physically controlling the bike, remembering to signal and shoulder check, paying attention to other vehicles, road signs, traffic lights, rules of the road, etc. It seemed like it would be overwhelming and I'd end up screwing up when it really matters. However, as soon as I got onto the road my car driving skills sort of transferred over and all the stuff about traffic rules, signs, other cars, etc was second nature and the only thing I had to actively think about was physically controlling the bike and making sure I was seen.
To get more confident controlling the bike, find an empty parking lot near the dealership, if you can, and practise. I was lucky there was one next door to the dealership and I spent a solid two hours there before going on the road.
As others have said, find the least busy route. I would also add, find a route that doesn't require a lot of turns since that's where you're most likely to get frazzled. I got mine from AM Sales in Vaughan and I live in Brampton. Instead of taking the shortest route, I went straight up Keele, to the edge of Vaughan, took a left on highway 49, then a left on Torbram which got me to my neighborhood. It was longer but much simpler and less crowded.
Hope this helps. I will also add, when I stared riding on the road it felt amazing. Be careful but don't let the fear stop you, it's totally worth it.
sorry.. shoulda been more clear... once I got into gear and at speed its ok. I am not about to do so crazy speed... just doing 90-110 the entire way on the slow lane. When I saw merging traffic I just move over to the middle lanes to let them merge.. but for the most part.. 407 is actually the easy part.... Local traffic is the pain in the ass with the clutch and go...