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Making Turns

by Pat
(Spring, Texas)

My Honda Shadow 750

My Honda Shadow 750

I am a beginner rider or should I say driver.....I took the 2 day course...and of course, very over whelmed....My honey bought me out of surprise, a Honda Shadow 750.black...very beautiful. We have been practicing at a parking lot...but I am doing alot of big circles and some figure 8's. We tried to go on the street, probably was too soon, got nervous and dropped the bike...just a scratch on mirror...so back to parking lot. Anyway, my question is when you are at a stop, and have to make a sharp right or left turn, how do you go about without falling...I am 5'3"...

Thanks,

Pat

Comments for
Making Turns

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Dec 25, 2009
 Friction Zone
by: Bridgett

To make sharp turns you have to use your friction zone. You are going to be stopped, When you take off, you need to learn how to use the friction zone, you start in first, holding the clutch in to where you have it engaged but not fully, use your foot brake and ease out.

I recommend getting the video Ride Like a Pro. It really helps explain this in detail and is an excellent learning tool. And, as the instructor states, riding skills are "perishable", you need to keep practicing your skills.

Relax, you WILL get it! Once you do you will go, "what the heck?" LOL.

Bridgett
Dec 24, 2009
 Don't Stop and Turn
by: Anonymous

When you stop...make sure your wheels are straight...if not, you will drop the bike!
Sep 24, 2009
 Turning
by: Pat

Hey Jessica,

You really sound frustrated....calm down and take some breaths...I too am doing the parking lot practice, as alot of other things have gotten in the way...my honey is saying feather the clutch when go slow...we have been practicing weaving...if you get too frustrated...even if you only rode 15 minutes...then stop! there is always another day...just practice, practice practice...good luck and enjoy the ride..
Sep 24, 2009
 I Have the Same Concern!
by: Jessica

Pat -

I was comforted to read your post because I am living your situation right now AND I also have a Honda Shadow (1993 VLX Deluxe). Have wanted to ride since I was 11. B/F has ridden since 10 but hasn't had a bike for past 10 yrs (since I've been w/him) He got HD Night Train this summer & we started making plans. So excited!

Unlike you, I didn't finish the course and was crushed AND embarrassed. My grip gave out on the 2nd day of riding and I couldn't hold the clutch - swollen blah blah...excuses. Then I lost confidence/focus & screwed up on the throttle. After the instructor called me over, we agreed I should strengthen my grip over the winter, think about WHO I'm learning to ride for & come back early spring if I want to do it again. I never thought I'd be "one of those" people. It devastated me.

My b/f's friends all ride & the women do too. He took a refresher course this summer & commented on how well the women did - especially a 50 yr old he befriended. So...I assumed when I took the class I'd do well even though I knew it was gruelling. The will was there.

Since the class debacle, he & I have parking lot practiced. I do well after a period of "warming up" that he says I shouldn't need. I do figure eights, s-curves, shifting etc...got that down. BUT... I have SO MUCH TROUBLE making a tight right & increasing speed as I would have to do entering traffic. B/F is a good coach (when he's not getting impatient) - & has done all he can to show me how to lean w/the bike - tells me I turn sharp & lean when I'm just riding in circles, so can't understand why I can't from a stop. It's getting to the point where I dread practicing - I just want to KNOW HOW TO DO IT! I cannot quit...I will not. But this is a sticking point. I won't go out into traffic if there's a chance I will stall while turning - that could be disaster.

How do I get rid of this fear? How do I get confidence to do this?

I'm 5'2" and about 70 lbs overweight - but I see a lot of big people riding. My hand cramps up, but when I'm doing well/having fun - I forget about it.

Any advice from ANYBODY would be appreciated. My b/f is thinking I should be far more advanced by now (I've had a total of maybe 14 hrs on the bike).

I love this site!

Jessica
Aug 09, 2009
 Inspiration
by: Pat

Bridgett, and all others involved...

Thanks for the inspiration, that some day I WILL Master riding with total confidence, not cockyness...but, I will ride with pride...and yes, Bridgette, we got to live our dreams....my honey also made a suggestion, to go to any area, where there are empty streets...brand new, no houses yet, and to practice on the streets there to make those shorter turns...well, you be safe.

Enjoy the hell out of your bike! sista....
Aug 09, 2009
 An Added Note
by: Bridgett

Don't feel bad about being overwhelmed in class..I almost couldn't do the driving part, I literally had a panic attack! I had to call my husband, who wasn't home so I called our neighbor, his friend who rides and he calmed me down. I didn't think I was going to pass, but I did! I had to remind myself that it is a beginners class and EVERYONE in that class had some experience, I had none.

Just stay in the parking lot till you feel ready to go on the streets. Better to make the mistakes there. BUT at some point you have to push yourself a bit to test your new skills.
Try going for a short putt after a good day in the lot. A good run in the lot boosts your ego and somehow after a good practice I just soar on the road! If I have a bad ride (feeling unsure, making mistakes, etc) it really effects me mentally on the next ride. It's all a process. Sounds like yo have great support! Your man even bought you a bike! My husband struggles a bit with the support part, he is not crazy about having his wife ride her own. He bought himself a brand new HD, Heritage Softail, but wouldn't buy me one, I had to buy my own used bike (though it is awesome and was a great deal!)He struggles with the whole idea, but whatever! We gotta live our own life and our own dreams!

Ride Safe Sista!

Bridgett
Aug 08, 2009
 Turns
by: Pat

Thanks everyone for your support and help, it only gives me more reasons to ride and enjoy! Have a great life!
Aug 08, 2009
 Turns
by: Anonymous

Use your friction zone to get rolling then make sure head is up looking where you want to go. Lots of parking lot practice and they will teach you this in class.
Aug 08, 2009
 I Feel Your Pain
by: Bridgett

Hi Pat,

I had a hard time with those type of turns also. I am much better now, though once in awhile I feel I wobble just a bit too much as I turn.

It is all in the friction zone. I would suggest getting the video "Ride Like A Pro". Then practice.

I couldn't stop and turn right or left without panic, then I watched the video, went and practiced turning, weaving, and various manuevers..made a big difference. I just have not been able to get to the lot to practice sharp turns, u turns, figure 8's, etc. The time I tried on the road I dropped my bike! Don't ya hate that! So hang in there and keep practicing! That is really cool you have been able to do figure 8's and u turns! I can't wait to conquer that!

Bridgett

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