Went on my first real ride today! - Ducati.ms

Vhayne · May 30th, 2010, 3:16 pm

Last weekend I finished the MSF. Last Monday I got my endorsement. This past Wednesday I purchased a bike for my wife, '10 Ninja 250 (my m796 won't be here until July) and have been practicing on it all week.

First started just going back and forth in my neighborhood, working on slow turns, emergency stops, etc. Then I started taking it on road (country road) and riding about half a mile to my son's school and back. Did that about 5 times to get used to the speed (50-60mph).

Today was my first real ride (with a destination). My mom's house. About 10 miles away, through country roads, intersections, traffic, across railroad tracks and speedbumps. It went perfectly smooth. Had my wife follow behind me in the car, keeping a distance of about 5 car-lenghts.

It was great! Can't believe I missed out on this my entire life (33 this year). Nothing compares to it. I'm hooked!

Winchester Boy · May 30th, 2010, 3:54 pm

You will just keep enjoying it more Vhayne, just be careful not to become over confident.
If I may, I'd like to make a suggestion.
Find a local sportbike forum and lurk for awhile.
It will soon become apparent if they are a group who care about each other and try to help new riders.
This is what I did, and now these people are my best friends.
Riding with good people is I think, much better than riding alone.
Although a solo ride is good sometimes too.
Best of luck.

a63buggy · May 31st, 2010, 12:13 am

VHAYNE talk about doing it all right. Took a class ,got both you and the wife bikes and got hers first..... smart man!

Secondary good thing putting some miles on her smaller bike before jumping up to yours. Month or two on the 250 perfect to get you ready to step up to your Ducati. Just keep taking it slow and build up your ability.

+1 on finding folks in your area. Look here for local forum thread some of us may be near you!

FutureDuc · May 31st, 2010, 1:34 am

Welcome to the addiction!! This is the start of something really magical. Please take it nice an easy and enjoy the ride. This is a great forum for all things Ducati...good people too. Good on you for the M796 purchase! I'm jealous! What color did you end up going with and did you get any custom colors?

Vhayne · May 31st, 2010, 12:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by FutureDuc

Welcome to the addiction!! This is the start of something really magical. Please take it nice an easy and enjoy the ride. This is a great forum for all things Ducati...good people too. Good on you for the M796 purchase! I'm jealous! What color did you end up going with and did you get any custom colors?

I went with the black (with red frame) and ABS.

On a side note, I had my first rain experience (aside from it raining during my MSF course) today. Rode to my dad's house, about 15 miles away, all windy country roads, and when I left, I got about half-way home then the bottom dropped out. I was SOAKED! lol Felt like needles hitting me, and sounded like rocks hitting my helmet. But I took it REAL easy so I'd get home safe.

Also, ever notice how when your pants are totaly soaked, and the engine heat on the seat combine to make it feel like you peed your pants? haha! I was laughing like crazy on the way home because I didn't know if I had peed my pants or not lol.

metalhead · May 31st, 2010, 2:23 pm

Know what dude? Sounds like you've been taking all the correct steps into motorcycling. It also, sounds to me, that you're being smart about getting into cycling, and you've got a good sense of humor, and a good attitude to boot.

I hope you're world of motorcycles, will be the thrill that it has been to me for the past 40 years.

Raiden · May 31st, 2010, 7:45 pm

Congrats man and welcome. You have good taste in bikes. I bet that little Ninja is fun to ride.

Vhayne · May 31st, 2010, 8:04 pm

Thanks guys.

Yeah the ninja is alot of fun to ride. Everything is so smooth with it, although I don't have any experience with other bikes to compare it to yet. I really like everything about it aside from 3 issues:

1. Power - The power is kindof weak. I mean it'll get up to 60-70 ok I suppose, but you really have to wind it out to make it go. Definatley a great characteristic for a beginner though.

2. Sound - Sounds like a sewing machine.

3. Counter-steering -- This is going to sound weird, but I'll explain. Before taking the MSF I could never wrap my head around counter steering or push steering. Once in the class it was simple to understand and I practiced it constantly. I think it's one of those things that mostly comes naturally, however, when you conciously understand what motion does what and why, then everything just feels smoother.

On the Honda Nighthawks (standard bikes) they used in the MSF, the feeling and "feedback" from initiating a counter-steer motion was very apparent. However, on the Ninja it's not so much. It still turns properly, but the "feeling" is diminished. I feel this is due to the style of the bike. Being it's setup more like a crotch-rocket, you have more pressure on the bars due to the seating position. When you push in one direction to counter-steer, your other arm is still somewhat pushing against the other bar coming forward a bit. I noticed that when I squeeze my knees against the tank to take some of the weight off my wrists then the "feedback" is more apparant again.

So while isn't a really an issue, it is an observation I noticed.

Still a fun little bike though.

But I can't wait to get my Ducati hehe.

Raiden · May 31st, 2010, 9:49 pm

I was reading this book called ARC Total control by Lee Parks. It's a good book to learn riding technique. One thing he says is when counter steering let's say your making a right turn so you push the right grip, loosen up your left hand so it's just gripping the handle it keeps your left hand from counteracting your input. I tried it and it works makes turn in easier and smooth.

Vhayne · May 31st, 2010, 10:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiden

I was reading this book called ARC Total control by Lee Parks. It's a good book to learn riding technique. One thing he says is when counter steering let's say your making a right turn so you push the right grip, loosen up your left hand so it's just gripping the handle it keeps your left hand from counteracting your input. I tried it and it works makes turn in easier and smooth.

Yep, totally makes sense. I'll practice that as well. Thanks.