Things to look out for riding on the street?

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freddievercetti

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Going to try riding on the streets tomorrow with CBR125R. How did you guys start out riding on the streets? Practice on familiar roads first?

I know a few points like treat everybody out there like they're going to kill you, and watch out for trucks being unable to see riders. Is there any other solid advice that you guys have? Or everything boils down to just racking up experience on the road?
 
If you've never ridden before perhaps a parking lot close to home that's big enough to at least get used to your bike wouldn't be a bad idea. After that all I can say is ride some familiar roads for a bit and you should be good. Eyes up. Rubber down. :thumbup:
 
As roomie said work on the basics first. Make sure you have your shifting/braking/turning down before you head out to the streets and stall in the middle of the intersection.

If you have the basics down then start with small streets and get familiar with the bike, it takes some people a couple hours until they move on, others take days. Whatever your pace is take it easy and enjoy.
Also helps if you're with someone else who knows what they're doing and can give you some pointers.

Have fun
 
I'd gladly help out if you want. Where are you located? PM or text me 9059033764.
 
1. Start in a parking lot
2. Ride in small residential neighborhoods once understand the bike.
3. Once you are ready for mainstream traffic ride like you are invisible. This mindset will help you.
4. When going through intersections use cars a shields as you want to mitigate the risks of the vehicles taking a left.
5. Buy the DVD "Twist of the Wrist" and buy the book "Proficient Motorcycling"

6. Stay alive and have fun!



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Try getting on the streets after rush hour or early morning weekends it'll introduce you to riding alongside other vehicles but in a controlled manner. Get used to the speed, 60km on a bike feels much different than in a car. Give yourself lots of space with the car in front of you in case you need to stop in a hurry or swerve into the next lane. Always be aware of your surroundings, i.e. who's around you on all sides.

While stopped at a light, always keep you bike in gear and hand on the throttle at least until you see all cars around you, and especially behind you, have come to a complete stop; then when it is safe to do so you can pose, one hand on the upper leg looking like Captain Morgan. :cool:

enjoy and be safe
 
I guess it depends on where you live, but when I was getting used to the bike I spent a few hrs just riding around my neighborhood so I could get used to higher speeds. At like 10am there is nobody in my area so that's the time I chose. Saturday and Sunday mornings are good times too.

When you 1st go for a ride it'll feel like 40km/h is warp speed... I thought it was important for me to get past that mentality before I actually rode in traffic since tailgaters can be pretty scary when on a bike.

Stay in gear at stop lights at least until the 1st car behind you is stopped. Even if you're slowing down through engine braking, make sure you pinch the brakes a bit to make your light come on because the people behind you may not be able to judge your speed.

When I do stop at the light, I try to stop a right next to the line between the lanes (almost as if you're lane splitting). It's just in case the person behind is sending a totally super important text message to their boyfriend or bff and doesn't notice the light is red or that you're in front. You may still get hit but I'd rather break a few bones than have someone actually drive over me.
 
Definitely worth taking another more experienced rider with you that can give you feedback and point out how to correct. Take it easy at first, take lots of breaks and relax.
 
NEVER ride in someone's blind spot, especially on the highway. Always either be infront of them or behind (in the next lane ofcourse).

If by chance people actually check their blindspot its only a quick check so they probably won't see you anyway.
 
Originally just wanted to do Mississauga Road back and forth and wanted to stay within the city. Wandered off into farmlands lol...

https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=M...iDFPpBnt4347Mw&dirflg=h&mra=ls&via=3&t=m&z=11

Have to say its not that hard riding on the streets on weekends like these. But the bike definitely has difficulty climbing hills. I don't know if it was 5 or 6th gear but the bike slows down on some of the hilly road on King Street up north at around 80km/h.

How do you guys deal with the wind at 80km/h and above?
 
Watch out for slippery things on the road (eg oil spills, gravel, etc) even those tar snakes can sometimes be slippery.
 
freddievercetti said:
How do you guys deal with the wind at 80km/h and above?
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Smile. Just remember to keep your mouth closed so bugs don't get in.

Seriously, keep a firm grip on the bars and grit your teeth till you get desensitized to the wind. I also use foam earplugs if I'm riding at 80+ for long periods (rural/hwy).
 
If you're ever in the North York area, message me and I can meet you for a ride. I have a 125 as well and there are some things you have to keep in mind with the smaller bike as opposed with the bigger ones. For one, wind affects you more and your tires are thinner, etc. I miss my 250 because the weight of it was great. The 125 feels MUCH lighter.
 
sykobish said:
If you're ever in the North York area, message me and I can meet you for a ride. I have a 125 as well and there are some things you have to keep in mind with the smaller bike as opposed with the bigger ones. For one, wind affects you more and your tires are thinner, etc. I miss my 250 because the weight of it was great. The 125 feels MUCH lighter.
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In my opinion - I would highly caution against taking Lisa up on this due to her history. It would be safer to learn with someone who knows the basics/fundamentals.. someone without a horrific crash history and unsafe driving sense.

Please exercise caution and ride with experienced/successful people. Just because people here post a lot doesn't mean that they are good riders.
 
e90 said:
In my opinion - I would highly caution against taking Lisa up on this due to her history. It would be safer to learn with someone who knows the basics/fundamentals.. someone without a horrific crash history and unsafe driving sense.

Please exercise caution and ride with experienced/successful people. Just because people here post a lot doesn't mean that they are good riders.
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Don't you have a tow truck to be chasing after or something? #comeatmebro

Btw, most riders that have crashed are the very same riders that will ride circles around you on their worst days.
 
e90 said:
In my opinion - I would highly caution against taking Lisa up on this due to her history. It would be safer to learn with someone who knows the basics/fundamentals.. someone without a horrific crash history and unsafe driving sense.

Please exercise caution and ride with experienced/successful people. Just because people here post a lot doesn't mean that they are good riders.
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Oh muffin!! I guess you're still butt hurt over me making you cry. You seriously need to grow up. Horrific crash history? Unsafe "driving" sense? Don't you mean riding sense? Anyway, you need to keep my accident out of this. I was hit by a drunk and almost killed. Does that make me an unsafe rider? Grow the **** up, son.
 
OP, I would suggest taking a trusted friend with you (not just someone random from the forums, as kind as all the users are on here) preferably someone with patience and who knows your learning style. Have you taken the M1 exit course? It's super helpful when it comes to basics. Buddy up and practice. Take breaks and don't be afraid to do/try something over and over again until you get it right. Find a dead end street that you can go back and forth on to help you with shifting. As a previous poster said, take your time, go at your own pace, don't get anxious, own the bike. GL!
 
@ e90, if it's the same lisa im thinking about, she'll ride circles around you just fyi

hi lisa! if you were the same lisa on sunday night RnR i was the red cbr600rr!

Mina said:
Btw, most riders that have crashed are the very same riders that will ride circles around you on their worst days.
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cannot argeee more with you mina
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