New rider own 250 cc how to handle traffic?

New rider own 250 cc how to handle traffic?

by gina
(portland, OR)

Hi to all you experience riders, how do you handle busy traffic? I just got my bike out of the shop this last weekend so had not been on it like for 2 weeks. As a beginner I took it out to ride this last weekend, of course ran into traffic. How do you handle all the traffic? how do I not get nervous with cars? and this may seem silly question but how do you keep up to speed? It seem I do fine one time then the next I get frustrated at something I did or didn't feel like I did right. One of the biggest one is taking off from traffic stop lights I sit there waiting then time to go my guy is telling go go and I am going just slower than him. How do I get from the stop to into speed? may not be right question but you get idea? I understand it may come form more seat time but would like to hear suggestions or ideas. Thanks.

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New rider own 250 cc how to handle traffic?

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Jul 19, 2008

email more thought on 250
by: gina

Cathy would you mind talking to me in a email? here is mine gwizzgina@hotmail.com I would like to know more from another owner of someone who has previously owned a 250cc. Hope to hear from you.

Jul 11, 2008

my experience with the 250 cc at lights
by: Cathy G

Hi Gina,
For the first year of my riding experience I was disappointed with something I did almost every time I rode- a little mistake here or there, a clunky stop or start. Seat time and also reviewing your mistakes with yourself are definitely part of the learning experience. Over time, your skills will improve. Just don't give up! Have you taken a motorcycle safety course? I highly recommend it, it is a very important first step. If you haven't taken one already, sign up for one. It's never too late to do that and you will learn a lot of very important skills and information.

I rode a 250cc bike and I also felt like I could never get up to speed with cars from a stop. Your engine size and the fact that you have to go through so many gears before reaching speed may have something to do with that. I had a 250cc Ninja and before I reached 30 miles per hour I had already shifted to 3rd gear. That's a lot of foot and hand work to do in a short period of time! The 250cc bike is a great bike to start out on, and I am so happy I started out on one. You'll get the hang of it!

Cathy

Jul 11, 2008

Practice, practice, practice
by: Jacee

First of all, if you haven't already, please DO take the motorcycle safety class. They teach you all about how to ride safely in traffic.

Second, go to a large parking lot and practice starting and stopping - over and over and over. Practice shifting quickly, breaking hard without causing a spill for yourself. Practice anything that you are not yet comfortable doing.

Then when you've had plenty of practice and plenty of seat time, get a motorcycle with a bigger engine. I am not saying this because I think you need one or need more speed. It IS a safety issue. The important thing to concentrate on while in traffic is to try to get and stay away from vehicles. Obviously that's not always possible, but it is a worthy goal when you're out riding. With plenty of horsepower, you can more easily get away from vehicles when a lane is open or you need to pass them.

Learn to deal with the traffic by being very aware of every vehicle around you. You must learn to glance quickly from front, to back (checking both mirrors), and both sides of you. Pay special attention to a vehicle driver's head. If a driver turns their head slightly toward the left or right, they are usually going to move in that direction. They may or may not signal!

Because you must learn to be aware of traffic at all times, the practice you do in the parking lot will allow you to learn your motorcycle so that you can work the mechanics of it in your sleep. It all becomes second nature to shift, balance, stop, start, etc. using both hands and both feet without even thinking about it. Then you can concentrate on the traffic while out riding, because that is where the danger of riding a motorcycle is.

We all should wear safety gear at all times, but even that may not save you if a car pulls in front of you and hits you or you hit it. I just read about a motorcyclist in the paper this morning. He was wearing a full-face helmet, but a car turned left in an intersection in front of him and he died from head and chest injuries.

A couple more safety tips:

1. Don't ride at night unless you absolutely have to get home!

2. Toggle your high beams when going through an intersection or a vehicle is about to pull out onto the street you are riding on.

3. Put on your high beams and slightly weave the front of your bike to cause drivers coming through an intersection (left turners in particular) to notice you. An unusual movement from your headlight may make someone notice you more readily.

Practice and safe riding!

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